Disney is adding a new title to its ever-expanding roster of live-action remakes, and it’s an ambitious one.Deadlinereports thatSam Mendesis in early talks to develop and direct a live-action adaptation ofJames and the Giant PeachwithBrooklynandAn EducationscribeNick Hornbyattached to write the screenplay. The report notes that Mendes is in “very early” negotiations.
Henry Selickfirst adapted the book from beloved children’s authorRoald Dahlfor the studio back in 1996 with the stop-motion feature of the same name. The story follows James, a young orphan who lives with his cruel, abusive aunts until a magical gift transforms an ordinary peach into a giant vessel for extraordinary adventure. Accompanied by the peach’s now human-sized invertebrate inhabitants, James takes to the seas and the skies on an epic journey. It’s quite the tall order for a live-action feature (Selick’s version started live-action but transitioned to stop-motion when things got fantastical), but this year’s breakoutThe Jungle Bookdemonstrated the tremendous ability of modern CG tech to integrate the live-action and the animated.
For Mendes,James and the Giant Peachcomes on the heels of two back-to-back entries in the James Bond catalogue,SkyfallandSpectre. However, it won’t be his first time tangling with Dahl’s material – Mendes directed theCharlie and the Chocolatestage musical back in 2013.
James and the Giant Peachjoins theLin-Manuel MirandafrontedThe Little Mermaidremake as the latest in Disney’s ever-expanding line-up of live-action reboots. Click through for Dave’s in-depth breakdown ofDisney’s officially announced upcoming live-action lineup, or check it out in brief below.
Cruellawith Emma Stone set for the title role and Kelly Marcel writing
A Wrinkle in Timewith Ava DuVernay attached to direct and Jennifer Lee writing
Jungle Cruisewith Dwayne Johnson set to star and John Requa and Glenn Ficarra writing
Dumbowith director Tim Burton and writer Ehren Kruger
Asequel toMary Poppinswith director Rob Marshall, starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Maleficent 2with Angelia Jolie set to return in the title role and Linda Woolverton writing
The Nutcracker and the Four Realmswith director Lasse Hallstrom and writer Ashleigh Powell
The Jungle Book 2with both director Jon Favreau and writer Justin Marks returning
ATinker Bellprojectwith Reese Witherspoon set to star and Victoria Strouse writing
