With Steven Spielberg is confirmed to direct two major films: Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One and Roald Dahl’s The BFG. Fans of both novels have already put together their dream cast. The BFG is slated for a July 2016 release, with Ready Player One set for a December 2017 release. While the former has already got its cast, the latter will eventually get to its casting phase.
But a new rumor going around says that Spielberg may want Gene Wilder to come out of retirement to star in one of the two films. More on this story below.
Steven Spielberg and Roald Dahl. Combined these men have created some of the greatest children’s stories ever. From E.T. and Indiana Jones to Matilda and Willy Wonka, these men of film and literature have changed lives for generations of kids. So imagine how mind blowing it was when it was announced that Spielberg was helming one of Dahl’s classics, 1982’s The BFG. Melissa Mathison is penning the screenplay. For those uninformed, BFG stands for “Big Friendly Giant.”
Along with Tony award-winner Mark Rylance (playing the BFG) and newcomer Ruby Barnhill (playing little English girl Sophie) is SNL veteran Bill Hader.
The last time mega-famous filmmaker Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Melissa Mathison collaborated on a project (besides Mathison’s uncredited work on the director’s segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie), the result was the record-smashing family fantasy classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Thirty-two years following the release of the film that popularized Reese’s Pieces and airborne bike riding, Spielberg and Mathison are getting together to adapt Roald Dahl‘s 1982 children’s book The BFG for the big screen.
Right now, Amazon is offering up the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Blu-ray box set for only $27.99 (that’s 57% off the list price of $64.98).
This is the Three-Disc 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo box set, which contains the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder on both DVD and Blu-ray, along with bonus features like commentary and an interview with author Roald Dahl, as well as collectibles.
Apparently it’s a big week for DreamWorks, and it’s only Monday.
With the animation side of the mega-studio teaming with Netflix for a new streaming deal, the studio proper is still looking to make a splash, as The Wrap is reporting that they have bought up the rights to Roald Dahl‘s beloved book, The BFG.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press