The future of the live-action Pac-Man movie, directed by Justin Baldoni, is currently in jeopardy due to a significant legal dispute involving Baldoni and his co-star Blake Lively. Here’s a detailed overview of the situation:
Background of the Project
- The Pac-Man film has been in development at Wayfarer Studios since 2022, with Baldoni serving as director and producer, and Christopher Yost, known for his work on Thor: Ragnarok, penning the script[1][2].
- The project was initially intended to be an adaptation of the iconic arcade game where players control Pac-Man, a yellow character navigating a maze while avoiding colorful ghosts[3].
Current Legal Issues
- The legal turmoil stems from a public fallout between Baldoni and Lively related to their collaboration on the film It Ends With Us. This conflict escalated into a legal battle, with Baldoni reportedly counter-suing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alongside The New York Times for defamation[2][5].
- Reports indicate that Baldoni’s career has suffered severely due to these legal issues; he has allegedly lost three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars as a result[2][5].
Impact on Production
- The ongoing legal disputes have led to uncertainty regarding the Pac-Man movie, with many industry partners reevaluating their associations with Wayfarer Studios. Sources suggest that nearly all partners are reconsidering their involvement due to the negative publicity surrounding Baldoni’s situation[1][2][5].
- Despite the project’s initial momentum, the recent developments have put its future in doubt, with no new deals being finalized and the rights holder for Pac-Man remaining silent on the film’s status[2][4].
Conclusion
As it stands, the live-action Pac-Man movie is facing significant challenges due to the legal issues surrounding its director. The outcome of Baldoni’s legal battles will likely determine whether this adaptation can move forward or if it will remain indefinitely shelved.
Citations:
[1] https://www.darkhorizons.com/live-action-pac-man-film-future-uncertain/
[2] https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/justin-baldonis-pac-man-movie-in-peril-amid-blake-lively-legal-feud-1370044
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pac-Man
[4] https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/pac-man-live-action-film-in-development/
[5] https://www.filmofilia.com/is-the-live-action-pac-man-movie-doomed-the-legal-drama-behind-the-scenes-197540/
[6] https://www.tiktok.com/@metroentertainment/video/7465645815973891360
[7] https://lehren.com/entertainment/hollywood/justin-baldonis-pac-man-movie-at-risk-amid-legal-drama-with-blake-lively/210514/
[8] https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/90920/10-fast-facts-about-pac-man
