The classic Roald Dahl story relates the story of an orphan boy who abandons his wicked aunts to go to New York City. His travel companions are a bunch of charismatic anthropomorphic bugs and his mode of transport is, you’ve guessed it, a giant peach.
The book was first adapted by Disney into a part live-action, part stop-motion animated movie in 1996, directed by Henry Selick (He was the one who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas, not Tim Burton).
While Disney have been successful with live-action remakes like The Jungle Book, Maleficent and Cinderella, their latest venture is most comparable with The BFG. The film was out in cinemas only recently and got a lukewarm reception, just about breaking even at the box office.
It’s possible that the story just failed to connect to today’s audiences and you can’t help but think, could James and the Giant Peach suffer the same fate?
It has also been announced that none other than Sam Mendes is in early talks to develop and direct the remake. His director credits include the latest Bond instalments, namely Spectre and Skyfall. Other credits include Revolutionary Road, Road to Perdition and American Beauty.
He is also attached to The Voyeur’s Motel which, as the title would suggest, is about a voyeur who opens a motel to spy on people.
Why Mendes was selected to direct a film like this - which is far more family friendly than he seems to be used to - is anyone’s guess, although arguably, with a name like his attached to the flick, adults will be interested in checking it out with their kids. After all, it’s the parents that have the moola.
Another interesting name attached to Disney’s latest is Nick Hornby who was just nominated for his second Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Brooklyn (his first nomination was for An Education). He’s in early talks to adapt Dahl’s 1961 children’s book. Clearly he has a knack for adaptation so this could prove interesting.
Via Deadline
