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A feature film adaptation of the award-winning stage musical Matilda, which itself is based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name, is in the works. Matthew Warchus, who has helmed multiple stage productions all over the world, will direct and Working Title (hoping to recover from the flop that was Cats) will be producing. No release date has been announced yet, though casting for the titular role will begin in April and shooting is set to take place from August through December of this year. Producers are in search of a girl aged 9-11, with a height of 4’3″ or shorter, with a strong singing voice and movement skills.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MATILDA-THE-MUSICAL-Movie-Is-In-The-Works-20200117Thoughts?
ReplyYES!!!
I knew they announced that they wanted to do this show as a film awhile back, but I’m so excited for it. For anyone who hasn’t seen this show, it’s definitely not just for kids. It’s extremely smart, absolutely hilarious, and very heartwarming. I can definitely see something like this working on the big screen. The title role is such a wonderful part, if they cast the right child actress in it, she could get serious Oscar buzz. It’s not like Annie where she has to act cute and likable and sing well. Matilda also has to do that, but also has to bring a convincing level of maturity, expert comedic timing, and feel like a genuine genius to the audience, all while tackling some legitimately challenging material (by far the most noticeable example is the song Quiet). Whoever plays Miss Trunchbull (with the exception of one production, it’s always a man, which I’m sure will translate to film) will also likely enter into the awards conversation. The role is a beautiful combination of hilariousness, nightmare fuel, and some huge show stoppers. I really, really, really hope they get Bertie Carvel to reprise the part. He’s not a big mainstream name, but his performance was utter perfection, and the producers went out of their way to have him reprise the show on Broadway, so hopefully they’ll do it again here. There might be some big names who could do it justice though. Maybe Adam Driver, who has a decent voice, the towering stature, is in very good shape which should help with the physical nature of the part, and a good combination of comedic and dramatic chops. Although his voice might be too low to convincingly raise to a level where he sounds like a woman, but not all actors try to sound feminine when doing the role. But honestly, I don’t think anybody can do it better than Carvel. It’s like he was made to do that role, he was that sensational. Miss Honey could easily go to a younger or older actress. If it’s an older one, I’d love to Michelle Williams do it, as I think she could totally deliver on the warmth and vulnerability of the part, and she’s got a legitimately great voice. I’m not entirely sure who I’d like to see if they do the role as a younger woman. Definitely not Emma Watson, I’ll tell you that much. I think Sacha Baron Cohen or Seth MacFarlane (two actors I don’t necessarily like all that much, but I still respect as talented performers) could be very good as Mr. Wormwood (I’d love to see Gabriel Ebert do it onscreen, but that’s not gonna happen). Both have great comedic timing, and surprisingly adapt at drama, which you need to be in order to make the role work. Hopefully the story is slightly rewritten so that they don’t have to cut his number, as it wouldn’t work on screen as it’s written, but if they altered the dialogue to where he was talking to a Matilda rather than the audience, it could work. I could maybe picture Anne Hathaway as Mrs. Wormwood, as she can be very funny, she’s got a good belt (absolutely necessary, as her song is literally titled Loud), and I think she’s supposed to be a decent dancer. Overall, I’m overjoyed at the idea of seeing Matilda on the big screen. The show is absolutely wonderful, and if the team behind this do a good job, then the film should be wonderful as well.
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I was thinking Sacha Baron Cohen for Mr. Wormwood with Emily Blunt as Miss Honey.
You read my mind on Baron Cohen, but I feel like Emily Blunt’s singing voice may be a little too low to full of Miss Honey. I could be wrong though. I know she could definitely act the part brilliantly.
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I too was also thinking that Bertie Carvel should reprise his role as Miss Trunchbull. Maybe if they get the right marketable names for some of the other characters, it shouldn’t be that much of a problem for Bertie to be cast. Though Anne Hathaway seems more like a Miss Honey to me than a Mrs. Wormwood.
ReplyCopy URLI too was also thinking that Bertie Carvel should reprise his role as Miss Trunchbull. Maybe if they get the right marketable names for some of the other characters, it shouldn’t be that much of a problem for Bertie to be cast. Though Anne Hathaway seems more like a Miss Honey to me than a Mrs. Wormwood.
I realized Hathaway seems more Honey than Wormwood, but she’s the only marketable name I can currently think of in that role. There’s probably others, but she’s the first to come to mind. The problem with casting that role with a big name is you need someone who’s got a legitimately great voice (her entire song relies on her belt, so you can’t get away with someone like Emma Stone doing it), and she’ll also need to dance legitimately well. Sure, they can get away with an actress who dances funny, but the choreography should still impress.
I’ll accept if Carvel doesn’t reprise his role, since he’s simply not famous outside of the theatre community, but if he did, it would be magical. I agree they’ll probably need big names attached to get the studio to agree to him, but they can easily make the case that nobody could ever do Trunchbull better than him, cause it’s very likely true. Finding a mainstream name who can do the part will be very difficult, as it’s such a unique role that felt like it was designed to fit Carvel’s talents.
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I feel like Carvel is the best choice. For mrs wormwood…..and I know this is out of left field but could be fun…..Stephanie J. Block.
I’d love to see her do that. However her chances of doing it are hurt by her mainstream obscurity. Carvel is in a better position given the sheer difficulty of his part, and the fact that he originated it on both the West End and Broadway.
However, hopefully this movie won’t have to rely on stunt casting. After all, it’s technically for kids, so big names aren’t exactly a necessity (although they often pop up in kids films nonetheless).
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I wonder if they’ll get the original film Matilda from the 90s, Mara Wilson, to make a cameo.
Maybe she could be the librarian. That role appears for a decent amount of time, but I don’t think she ever has to sing. I’d love to see Mara Wilson return, and I think she even said when the show was on Broadway (which she saw and loved) that she’d be willing to cameo in a film version.
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