We were so close to never having a Stretch Armstrong movie that it’s almost depressing. Originally part of a deal between Universal and Hasbro to turn its popular board games/action figures into movies (alongside such luminaries as Monopoly and Ouija), it was on the fast track to getting made with Taylor Lautner attached to star. And then Universal decided to drop it and the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. That is, until this past January, when Relativity Media picked up the rights. This close, guys; this close.

So now it’s time to accept that Stretch Armstrong is once again a reality as Relativity is now entering the screenplay stages. Variety reports that the company has hired Dean Georgaris to pen the script; Georgaris previously wrote the Ben Affleck sci-fi movie, Paycheck, and the remake of The Manchurian Candidate which starred Denzel Washington and was directed by Jonathan Demme. He’s also a prolific producer, with The Crazies and What Happens in Vegas on his resume.

Stretch Armstrong is still planned for an April 11th, 2014 release. For a possible preview of how the movie will play out, check out this old commercial for the toy that aired back in the 90′s (and consequently got me to buy a Stretch Armstrong in the first place):