Where’s Waldo? (Rogen / Goldberg)

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are set to produce MGM’s adaptation of the classic children’s book series WHERE’S WALDO, sources close to The Tracking Board have confirmed. Rogen and Goldberg are producing through their Point Grey shingle, bringing new life into the project that had stalled after a series of studio moves.

The live-action family story, based on the books from illustrator Martin Handford and published by Classic Media, centers around Waldo, the janitor/inventor who wears a distinctive red-and-white shirt with glasses, a stocking cap, and a walking stick. As he embarks on adventures, traveling through space and time, he often appears in colorful, crowded scenes from the past, the present – even the future.

An early iteration of the script built upon the time-traveling element, where Waldo accidentally activates a time machine and must find a way to get back to the love of his life, Wilma. The script has seen a number of drafts over the years, with writers Marc Hyman, Adam Rifkin, Adam Cooper, Michael Berg and, most recently, Todd Berger all contributing.

Rogen and Goldberg join producers Roger Birnbaum of Roger Birnbaum Productions and Tom Engelman. Eric Ellenbogen is executive producing for Classic Media Productions. James Weaver will oversee for Point Grey, while Cassidy Lange and Tabitha Shick will oversee for MGM.

Development of the Where’s Waldo big screen adaptation has been a long, challenging road. The project was previously set up at Paramount and Nickelodeon before moving to Universal and finally landing at MGM. Writers, like Berger and Rifkin, and directors, like John Schultz, have come and gone, and for some time the film’s fate seemed very much up in the air. The studio spent months trying to find additional talent to jumpstart Waldo – specifically seeking experienced hyphenates who grew up with the books, but could also deliver a millennial sensibility. Rogen and Goldberg, as it turns out, fit the bill perfectly.

At this time, Rogen and Goldberg have only signed on to produce; we cannot confirm that either will write, direct or star in the project.

Point Grey’s previous credits include the comedy hits This Is The End, Neighbors and The Night Before, is set to release Neighbors 2: Soroity Rising in May, while the AMC series Preacher will premiere at SXSW. The blockbuster comedy company is currently in development with numerous projects, including Jazz Cops with Kevin Hart and The Something starring Zach Galifianakis and Bill Hader.