The Play to Screen Report - 01/09/2026

It’s been another huge week in the world of toys, games and pop culture! From ‘Bluey’ heading to the CATAN table and Pokémon cards getting their own movie, to new adaptations for ‘The Flintstones’, ‘RoboCop’ and ‘Baldur’s Gate’, there is plenty to catch up on. Sacha has rounded up all the biggest Play to Screen news from the week.

The voice acting world has lost an icon, with Peter Cullen passing away at his Los Angeles home on August 26, surrounded by his family. Across an extraordinary career spanning hundreds of credits, he brought to life some of pop culture’s most beloved characters, from the heroic leader of the Autobots in ‘Transformers’ to the wonderfully gloomy Eeyore in ‘Winnie the Pooh’. His family has asked fans to honour his legacy by serving their communities and leading with compassion, integrity and loyalty, while remembering one of his favourite messages: “be strong enough to be gentle.”

The Heeler family is swapping Brisbane for the tabletop, with a brand-new collaboration officially announced for 2027. Details about exactly how the beloved Australian series will be incorporated into the iconic strategy game are still being kept under wraps, but more information is expected closer to release. With ‘Bluey’ continuing to expand into everything from LEGO to video games, this feels like another perfect excuse for a family game night!

Forget the idea that toys are just for kids, because grown-ups are becoming one of the industry’s most important customers. Global sales grew 7% in 2025, fuelled in part by “kidults” spending on everything from LEGO and board games to trading cards, collectibles and nostalgic favourites. In Europe, almost 40% of consumers bought a toy for themselves or another adult last year, as fandom, collecting and simply wanting a little more fun continue to make play an increasingly ageless pastime.

Six psychologists first started playing the fantasy role-playing game together while studying in 1980, and after reuniting in 1985, they made a promise to meet every year for the rest of their lives. They’ve now managed an incredible 38 gatherings over 41 years, using their annual adventures not only to roll dice and battle monsters, but to support each other through marriages, illness, grief, retirement and everything life has thrown at them. It’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes a game really can become the glue that holds friendships together for a lifetime.

We could be heading back to Bedrock, but this time the story will centre on a grown-up Bamm-Bamm Rubble! Warner Bros. is in the early stages of the project, with Gosling and his producing partner Jessie Henderson attached through their company Open Invite. There’s no word yet on whether Gosling will appear on screen, and the team is currently searching for a writer.

We’ve got our first proper look at the action-packed new movie, with Ryu and Ken reunited as they’re drawn into the brutal World Warrior Tournament. The footage is packed with familiar characters, over-the-top fights and plenty of nods to the games, with Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns and 50 Cent among the huge ensemble. ‘Street Fighter’ is set to hit cinemas in October 2026.

Amazon has reportedly been quietly test-screening the live-action movie through its Amazon Preview programme, with viewers suggesting it’s largely complete aside from some unfinished CGI. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, the film features Henry Cavill alongside Daniel Quinn-Toye, Sterling K. Brown, Alba Baptista and Rita Ora, and is currently expected to arrive on Prime Video in 2027. Nothing has been confirmed, but with New York Comic Con coming in October, speculation is growing that we could finally get our first official look soon.

Prime Video’s upcoming eight-episode reimagining of the 1987 sci-fi classic has found its leading man, with the ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ actor taking on the role of fallen police officer Alex Murphy and his cyborg alter ego. Peter Ocko will serve as writer and showrunner, while James Wan is among the executive producers bringing the project to life. There’s no release date yet, but the series was officially given the green light in July.

Maluma, Supercar Blondie and football superstar Robert Lewandowski have each teamed up with Mattel to create their own limited-edition 1:64-scale car inspired by a vehicle that means something to them. Maluma chose a Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60, Supercar Blondie recreated her Lamborghini Huracán ‘Lucy’, while Lewandowski picked a 1997 Porsche 911 GT1. The trio form the 2026 Global Legends Collection, with a new social series also coming throughout September exploring their love of cars and the challenges behind their success.

With ‘The Last of Us’ not expected to return until 2028, HBO could have another huge video game adaptation ready to keep fans busy in the meantime. ‘Baldur’s Gate’ is being developed by ‘The Last of Us’ co-creator Craig Mazin and will continue the story of the hugely successful ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’, rather than retelling the game. It’s still early days, but Mazin has teased that familiar characters could return alongside plenty of new faces.

For the first time in seven years, a new animated Pokémon feature is on the way, and this one is putting the hugely popular Trading Card Game at the centre of the story. ‘Pokémon: Wild Card’ will follow a competitive player and their partner Mimikyu as they battle towards their dream of becoming a champion. Directed by Katsuhiko Kitada and animated by CloverWorks, we’ve already been given a teaser trailer ahead of its arrival in 2027.

And that’s your Play to Screen round-up for another week! With so many classic toys, games and characters making their way onto our screens, plus some very exciting collaborations on the way, there is plenty to keep an eye on. Which story are you most excited about?