Steven Spielberg has found himself directing a Disney movie for the first time after the Hollywood studio joined upcoming Roald Dahl adaptation The BFG, reports Deadline.
The first big-screen outing for Dahl’s whizzpopping giant — British firm Cosgrove Hall produced a much-loved David Jason-voiced film for television in 1989 — was announced last year. Stage icon and Wolf Hall star Mark Rylance will play the BFG, with newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie.
“In more than 40 years of making movies, I have been on the producing end of a number of films for the Walt Disney Company, but never as a director,” said Spielberg, a four-time Oscar-winner. “It is a special joy to be in the director’s chair as we start The BFG, alongside my longtime friends and film collaborators Kathy Kennedy — who introduced me to this project — Frank Marshall and Melissa Mathison. Together with them and Disney, there are many reasons why I am so excited about this joint venture.”
The BFG will also feature an array of acting talent to play the various giants who menace humanity in Dahl’s gruesome children’s tale, among them The Fleshlumpeater, The Bonecruncher, The Manhugger, The Gizzardgulper, The Bloodbottler and The Butcher Boy. These are Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Michael David Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes, Paul Moniz de Sa and Olafur Darri Olaffson. Meanwhile, Downton Abbey’s Penelope Wilton has come on board to portray the Queen of England, and Rebecca Hall will play her maid, Mary.
BFG’s script will be written by Melissa Mathison, who worked with Spielberg and producer Kennedy on ET. A release date of July 1, 2016, is mooted for the film, which is expected to combine CGI and live action. Disney’s production partners will include Spielberg’s own Dreamworks and Chronicles of Narnia’s Walden Media.
