The film adaptation ofEnid Blyton’s children’s classicThe Magic Faraway Treeappears to be progressing splendidly as two new stars have been appointed lead roles for the project. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, two-time Oscar nomineeAndrew Garfieldand two-time Emmy winnerClaire Foywill play the lead characters while additional casting is still underway.
The Magic Faraway Tree, based onThe Faraway Treechildren’s series, focuses on a modern family: Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Shortly after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its peculiar inhabitants, including much-adored characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
Garfield will play the role of Tim and Foy will act as Polly. Additionally, Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance are handling production with principal photography set for June 2024. In details, Oscar nomineePippa Harris,Neal Street Production’sNicolas Brown,Living’sJane HooksandDanny Perkinsof Elysian Film Group will produce the film. At the same time, Palisades Park Pictures’Tamara Birkemoeand Ashland Hill Media Finance’sSimon Williams,Joe SimpsonandJonathan Brosswill executive produce.
‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ Has ‘Wonka’s’ Simon Farnaby As Screenwriter
Prominent screenwriterSimon Farnaby, known forWonkaand Paddington 2, has adaptedThe Magic Faraway Tree, andhe cannot imagine anyone more suitable to play the lead roles than Garfield and Foy. He says, “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield andClaire Foyis a dream for any screenwriter. I have long admired their warmth, wit and lightness of touch. Plus, they have the power to imbue their characters’ complexities that I don’t have the power to write… I mean, even Enid Blyton might be impressed we got Spider-Man and the Queen.”
Britannia’sBen Gregor,employed as director, also joins in praising the award-winning actors: “Andrewand Claire are exquisite performers and I feel so spoiled to have them for this film. They are the cornerstones of our big-hearted world and the perfect people to bring our lovely script to life.”
Besides production, Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financingThe Magic Faraway Tree, while Palisades Park Pictures is handling sales globally with CAA Media Finance co-repping US rights. The upcoming film, which will be at theCannes Film Festivalthis month, has been in development for several years with Perkins, Harris and Brown working on it when Perkins was running Studiocanal U.K. No release date has been set yet but stay tuned for more information.
