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Hasbro developing feature film adaptation of British toy “Action Man,” with script team behind “X-Men ’97”
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jul 31, 4:18 PM EDT

Hasbro developing feature film adaptation of British toy “Action Man,” with script team behind “X-Men ’97”

The entertainment company is moving forward on an “Action Man” movie project, with Guardians of the Galaxy producer Simon Hatt and writer Anthony Sellitti attached, according to a report Thursday.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Hasbro is developing a feature film based on the British toy brand “Action Man,” with a script written by Anthony Sellitti and producing roles linked to Simon Hatt and Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The publication described the project as being in development under a working title.

The report ties Sellitti to the writing effort. Sellitti also worked on “X-Men ’97,” which the outlet cited in connection with the new “Action Man” script work, framing the project as part of Hasbro’s effort to translate recognizable toy IP into studio-scale film storytelling.

On the production side, the outlet said Simon Hatt is involved as a producer. Hatt’s previous work, including as a producer on “Guardians of the Galaxy,” is cited by The Hollywood Reporter as part of the film team’s background as Hasbro organizes its adaptation.

The Hollywood Reporter also said Jeremy Latcham is attached to produce the film. Latcham is described in the report as a Marvel veteran, suggesting the production leadership is leaning on experience from major franchise studios.

The report did not provide details in the item about when filming would begin, what genre the film will take beyond an action-oriented toy adaptation, or who would direct. It also did not name cast or specify whether the project is tied to a particular studio distribution plan at this stage of development.

Because the information comes from a development announcement rather than a finalized production slate, major downstream steps such as director selection, casting, production dates, and distribution commitments remain to be confirmed. The project’s next milestones will likely include securing those creative and logistical elements before any public timeline can be stated.

Hasbro’s “Action Man” property is part of the company’s broader history of building live-action and animated projects around toy and game brands. The “Action Man” film, as described by The Hollywood Reporter, adds another entry to that pattern by bringing in writers and producers associated with well-known superhero and blockbuster franchises.

The story’s practical impact for industry watchers is that it indicates continuing market interest in established, internationally recognized toy characters, while also reflecting how major IP projects are often assembled through writers and producers with prior franchise experience. A clearer picture of costs, staffing, and release strategy would depend on subsequent official announcements from Hasbro and the production team.

Why It Matters

  • The project indicates ongoing studio attention to globally recognized toy brands as film IP, especially those with existing international audience familiarity.
  • New attachment of writers and franchise producers can shape how “Action Man” may be packaged for genre expectations and target demographics, though plot specifics were not provided in the report.
  • Because the article describes a work-in-development effort, timing for filming, release scheduling, and distribution arrangements remain matters for follow-up announcements.
  • The involvement of talent associated with large-scale comic-book franchises reflects how adaptation projects often rely on proven experience to reduce development uncertainty.
  • For audiences and retailers connected to toy culture, the move can eventually translate into cross-platform marketing and renewed visibility for the brand, contingent on later production commitments.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Hasbro is developing a feature film based on the British toy brand “Action Man,” with a working title listed in the report.
  • Anthony Sellitti is attached to write the “Action Man” script, with the outlet citing his work on “X-Men ’97.”
  • Simon Hatt is reported to be producing the film, with the report referencing his producer role on “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
  • Jeremy Latcham is reported to be producing the project, described as a Marvel veteran in the outlet’s write-up.
  • The Hollywood Reporter presented the item as an exclusive development report and did not include director, casting, or production start details in the provided material.