Matilda remake based on the stage production

[Silvermoth]

New Matilda movie in works from director of West End musical

The announcement of a casting call for children aged nine to 11, “no taller than 4ft 3in”, has confirmed that a film of Roald Dahl’s Matilda is in the works. It will be directed by Matthew Warchus, who staged the hit musical adaptation for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford in 2010. Matilda has since become one of the longest-running musicals in the West End.

According to the advertisement, the movie – produced by Working Title Films – will be shot from August to December. The character description for the telekinetic bookworm heroine states: “Matilda is not quick to smile, nor sentimental … She has had quite a tough life so far, and not much help from the adults around her; she is able to meet her own needs quite proficiently, she is a survivor.” No acting experience is required from hopeful candidates, “just an instinctive approach to speaking text with an inquisitive mind, a good singing voice and some movement skills”.

This is fantastic. I saw this on the west end a few years ago and honestly it’s one of my favourite theatre experiences ever

 

[Drizzle]

Even though the Danny DeVito Matilda film is a classic to kids like myself who grew up in the '90s, I don't see this as sacrilege since A.) it's a musical and B.) the original film changed a lot from the book such as setting it in the US. A new take isn't going to hurt anyone. However, I really don't envy whoever they get to play the Trunchbull since Pam Ferris was perfect in the role.

 

[DarkKnight88]

As a fan of the book and not so much the 1996 film, I'm looking forward to a new adaptation.

Then again, I don’t know how faithful the musical is either to the book?

 

[Silvermoth]

It’s very faithful. They’ve taken some tiny elements from the movie just to flesh things out but it’s pretty strongly based on the book.

I suppose for the trunchbull the obvious big name star they will probably try to get in Rupert everettt. But I could see David walliams doing it really well. He and Roald Dahl have similar styles of humour.

If they wanted another American ms honey Issa Rae would be amazing but it would be great to see an all british cast this time. Oh! Daisy Ridley would be good actually!

 

[DarkKnight88]

Ralph Fiennes Attached To Play Miss Trunchbull In Netflix’s ‘Matilda’ – Deadline

 

[Silvermoth]

Oh that’s a twist! I wonder if he can sing. It’s a tricky role so I hope he’s good at tongue twisters

 

[Schlosser85]

He sort of talk-sings in The Prince of Egypt as Ramses.

 

[Silvermoth]

Yeah to be fair you could probably get away with that here as long as he doesn’t trip over his lines. I’m excited to give it a go

 

[Wheels]

I do have Mara Wilson nostalgia to be sure but I'm definitely interested in this. Lets hope for something like Little Shop of Horrors where the musical film adaptation is so great that any future version of the story will be compared to this, their are a few remakes that kind of make it worse on other filmakers doing this type of thing, because they're so loved that the original film becomes an afterthought like Little Shop, Scarface, The Thing, The Fly, and Cape Fear.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Jodie Comer might have a role but it's not confirmed

BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Will Jodie Comer show us her sweet side by playing Miss Honey in Matilda? | Daily Mail Online

 

[Silvermoth]

Hmm, it’s ok. I love comer but I’m sure she’s got other stuff in mind. It would be fun to get someone like Tessa Thompson or Naomie Harris. Oh my gosh imagine Naomie!

 

[Silvermoth]

Lashana Lynch lands role in Matilda remake

Great choice

 

[JP]

It’s very faithful. They’ve taken some tiny elements from the movie just to flesh things out but it’s pretty strongly based on the book.

I suppose for the trunchbull the obvious big name star they will probably try to get in Rupert everettt. But I could see David walliams doing it really well. He and Roald Dahl have similar styles of humour.

If they wanted another American ms honey Issa Rae would be amazing but it would be great to see an all british cast this time. Oh! Daisy Ridley would be good actually!

So Ralph Fiennes was initially cast, but I've heard that that has since changed. The idea now is to NOT cast a man (like the West End/Broadway production) for fear of angering the trans community. They're apparently scrambling to find a woman.



Anyway, I'd love to see James McAvoy as Mr. Wormwood.

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Slick]

I’m really hoping this film is great because I loved the film so much as a kid and still do.

 

[Silvermoth]

Great choice with Emma. I hope she goes over the top with it like she was in Harry Potter. Can’t wait to see her in the fat suit

 

[Schlosser85]

Emma Thompson is a great choice. She’s hilarious.

 

[Drizzle]

Great choice with Emma. I hope she goes over the top with it like she was in Harry Potter. Can’t wait to see her in the fat suit

I'm sure she'll be in over the top mode like she was with Professor Trelawney or Nanny McPhee. Still, I would have been interested to see what Ralph Fiennes did with it.

 

[CaptainWagner]

So Ralph Fiennes was initially cast, but I've heard that that has since changed. The idea now is to NOT cast a man (like the West End/Broadway production) for fear of angering the trans community. They're apparently scrambling to find a woman.



Anyway, I'd love to see James McAvoy as Mr. Wormwood.

I'm disappointed in the decision to break with tradition here, and it just goes to show that the studios still have zero comprehension of trans issues and aren't bothering to consult members of the LGBT community when they have concerns. And of course they think there'd be controversy for casting a drag role as it was meant to be played, but never stop to think there's any reason not to stick a glamorous actress in a fat suit for comedic effect.

But McAvoy WOULD be a great Mr. Wormwood.

 

[Silvermoth]

I think we could always do with more women characters but especially villains and I think the trunchbull is one of the most important ones because she’s not a sexy femme fatale type villain she’s full power villain like a Thanos type so I don’t mind that they return the role to a woman

 

[Pennywise]

Stephen Graham, Sindhu Vee, Andrea Riseborough Join 'Matilda' Cast - Variety

 

[Pennywise]

'Matilda' Adaptation to Hit UK Theaters and Netflix December 2022

 

[Silvermoth]

Yes! Now is definitely the time for musicals

 

[Pennywise]

‘Matilda’ Follows ‘Bridgerton’ In Suffering Covid Outbreak For Netflix – Deadline

 

[Dweet]

'Matilda' Adaptation to Hit UK Theaters and Netflix December 2022

That's great. I loved the book and the Danny DeVito flick.