An anonymous correspondant has suggested 'Twilight Imperium', a space-opera/Game of Thrones adventure with a 44-page rulebook and a huge box. Billed as 'an epic board game of galactic conquest, politics and trade', 10 different civilizations compete for the Imperial Throne on Mecatol Rex. Featuring many planets, technology, political imperatives and trade, the concept lends itself to one or more exciting, big-budget films.
The same person suggested 'Scythe', a 1920's steampunk-inspired game set in Eastern Europe. The game's characters engage in combat, engine-building and earning money off of a factory. This concept of capitalistic competition is relatively basic in a game. However, a film incorporating real-world history and politics alongside this theme might be intriguing.
Personally, I think that 'Forbidden Desert', a less-technical, more cooperative game might make a good family film. Built around a group of people attempting to piece together a flying machine in the desert, there's a clear story about teamwork and adventure. I think it could fit in the canon of family films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and ET. These films, like the game, follow characters searching for artifacts and attempting to return home in high-stakes situations.
Boardgame-to-film adaptations (Clue, Battleship) are rare and film-to-boardgame adaptations (Die Hard and the many Harry Potter games) are more common. That said, given the appeal of storytelling in the most beloved board games, I think that they definitely have an audience.
