J.J. Abrams in Talks for 'Micronauts' Movie

Hasbro Has the Rights to 'Toyetic' Property

Lost creator and Star Trek helmer J.J. Abrams is in discussions to produce and perhaps direct a film based on the Japanese toyline Micronauts.  Created in 1974 by Takara, the Microman figures were imported to the U.S. from 1976-1980 by Mego and marketed as Micronauts.  In 2002 Palisades marketing revived the Micronauts toy line, which had also inspired comic book series from Marvel (in the 1970s and 1980s), Image (2002), and Devil’s Due (2004).

According to The Wall St. Journal, Hasbro has acquired screen rights to the Micronauts and is involved in discussions with Abrams about the Micronauts property.  The success of the Transformers movies and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra has added a new word to the Hollywood lexicon.  A property like Micronauts is now viewed as being highly “toyetic,” the term that Hollywood uses to describe films that have both the potential to sell licensed toys and to sell tickets due to the popularity of the toy involved.