If you have fond memories of playing the “Oregon Trail” video game, trying to avoid getting dysentery, and falling victim to other maladies, good news! According to The Hollywood Reporter, a movie is being developed that’s inspired by the game about settlers heading West in a party of covered wagons.
The Hollywood Reporter story says that a movie adaptation of the game is in early development at Apple, with Will Speck and Josh Gordon slated to direct and produce. According to sources, the story goes on, the movie will feature “a couple of original musical numbers in the vein of ‘Barbie,’” courtesy of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are composing original music and producing.
Pasek and Paul recently won an Emmy for their song, “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?,” featured in last season’s “Only Murders in the Building.”
The Hollywood Reporter story also says that the Lucas Bros (Keith and Kenny Lucas) and Max Reisman will write the screenplay for what’s being described as an action-comedy, inspired by “the game that is meant to mimic 19th-century pioneer times, following a covered wagon train heading west. Created in 1971, the game reached cult status among American grade schoolers by the 1990s as one of the first educational computer games allowed in schools — and for its hilariously dark storylines filled with broken arms, typhoid and dysentery.”
— Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist
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