Sony Pictures is in negotiations to acquire the rights to adapt “Catan,” the influential board game also known as “The Settlers of Catan,” into a film.

Gail Katz, whose credits include “Pawn Sacrifice,” “The Perfect Storm,” and “Air Force One,” will produce. Variety first reported in 2015 that she had acquired the rights.

Dan Lin, whose credits include “It” and “The Lego Movie,” and Jonathan Eirich will join the producing team. Blaise Hemingway will write the screenplay.

The studio is fast-tracking the project toward production with the goal of launching a possible franchise. Andrea Giannetti will oversee the project for Columbia.

“We’re excited to be working with Sony to bring the iconic world of Catan to life,” Katz said. “As huge fans of the game, we’re struck by the endless possibilities of stories that it could inspire. It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to work in a world beloved by millions of people, and expand its story for the screen.”

The game, designed by Klaus Teuber, has sold more than 25 million copies in 38 languages and has sparked a renaissance of tabletop games worldwide, with hundreds of new games introduced every year from thousands of designers. Upon its original release in 1995, game critics in Germany honored Catan with its prestigious game of the year award.

The goal of the game is to create the dominant community on the ever-changing fictional island of Catan amid scarce resources.

Hemingway’s credits include the untitled Playmobil movie and “Ugly Dolls.”