Steven Spielberg all set to direct a new film of The BFG, Roald Dahl‘s much-loved children’s book about a Big Friendly Giant and is expected to start shooting for the film sometime early 2015.
First published in 1982, Roald Dahl‘s book tells of an orphaned girl named Sophie who is befriended one night by a kindly giant. According to the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, the film will be released in 2016 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the author’s birth.
“We are delighted that Steven Spielberg will bring his inventive genius to directing the story of The BFG,” it said in a statement.
Steven Spielberg will work from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison, who previously wrote the Oscar nominated script for his 1982 hit E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
DreamWorks acquired the rights of book in 2011 with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall to produce. Spielberg is the latest of various directors to have been attached to the project over the years, including John Madden and Chris Columbus. Having courted ideas for several movies over the past year, Spielberg is officially committing himself to making the magical children’s movie and apparently plans to start filming in 2015; Michael Siegel and John Madden shall be the executive producers to the project.
“The BFG has enchanted families and their children for more than three decades. We are honoured that the Roald Dahl estate has entrusted us with this classic story.” stated Steven Spielberg in a statement posted on the Roald Dahl website.
Children and adults of all ages will fondly remember the thrilling and rather dark tale that was first adapted to film by Brian Cosgrove in the year 1989 in a surreal animation. Sir David Jason memorably voiced the Big Friendly Giant who snatches little Sophie from her orphanage in the dead of night and takes her back to his home.
Steven Spielberg has not directed a film since 2012’s historical epic Lincoln. However he is also producing a Cold War thriller with Tom Hanks that there is a possibility that he may also direct the film.
