The BFG (2016)

[azul017]

Disney has come on to co-finance and co-produce the 2016 film alongside DreamWorks and Walden Media, which now makes The BFG a Disney film. The Mouse House already was going to distribute the film under its tertiary deal with DreamWorks under its Touchstone Pictures banner.

As production gets underway in Vancouver, The Walt Disney Studios announced it will co-produce and co-finance Steven Spielberg’s The BFG. This marks the three-time Academy Award winner’s first time directing a Disney-branded movie.

Previously announced cast include three-time Tony Award winner Mark Rylance who will play the titular “Big Friendly Giant” and newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. They are now joined by Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Michael David Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes, Paul Moniz de Sa and Olafur Olaffson, all cast as giants. Buckingham Palace has also found its residents with Penelope Wilton being cast as The Queen and Rebecca Hall as Mary, the Queen’s maid.

“In more than 40 years of making movies, I have been on the producing end of a number of films for The Walt Disney Company, but never as a director,” said Steven Spielberg. “It is a special joy to be in the director’s chair as we start ‘The BFG,’ alongside my long-time friends and film collaborators Kathy Kennedy, who introduced me to this project, Frank Marshall and Melissa Mathison. Together with them and Disney, there are many reasons why I am so excited about this joint venture.”

“With Steven Spielberg at the helm, ‘The BFG’ will undoubtedly capture the minds of children and adults alike – as Roald Dahl’s original stories and many of Steven’s own films have done for decades,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “The team at Disney has tremendous respect for the filmmakers, and we’re thrilled to join with them to make what will be a spectacular picture.”

“This partnership speaks to the spirit of storytelling and the kinds of movies that we make here,” said Michael Wright, CEO of DreamWorks Studios. “Over the years, we have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration, and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with Disney in this expanded capacity on ‘The BFG.’”

“The BFG” is the exciting tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, “The BFG” (Big Friendly Giant) was published in 1982 and has been enchanting readers of all ages ever since. Dahl’s books, which also include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Matilda” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” are currently available in 58 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide.

Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation based on a script by Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer will produce while Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden, Michael Siegel and Kristie Macosko Krieger are on board as executive producers. Adam Somner is a co-producer. The Disney/Amblin/Reliance production in association with Walden Media will open in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2016, the year that coincides with the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s birth. The Walt Disney Studios is distributing the film in the U.S. and several international territories while Mister Smith Entertainment will oversee distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Reliance will distribute the film in India.

Disney and Walden Media previously produced The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Bridge to Terabithia together.

[Mickeyfan1990]

Hopefully this will lead to Roger Rabbit's return.

Half-joking. Still it's great that Spielberg and Disney are joining forces again.

[Disney's Divinity]

I have this book from when I was a child. I remember reading the first half and being bored; I never finished it. I liked other books of his though. I wonder how this would be as a film? Steven Spielberg's involvement makes me think it won't be too bad.

I still wish someone would make a film (or even a short film) of Dahl's The Twits.

[Disneyphile]

Penelope Wilton has been cast as the queen.

http://metro.co.uk/2015/04/14/penelope- ... g-5148797/

[Tristy]

I have this book from when I was a child. I remember reading the first half and being bored; I never finished it. I liked other books of his though. I wonder how this would be as a film? Steven Spielberg's involvement makes me think it won't be too bad.

I still wish someone would make a film (or even a short film) of Dahl's The Twits.

There was an animated version made in the late 90s produced by Cosgrove Hall.

[Mickeyfan1990]

First poster!:
http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/featur ... 3#/slide/5

[NeverLand]

Will it be live-action or animated?

[estefan]

It's going to be live-action. Though I'm curious what route Spielberg and the effects team will take with the giants.

[Mickeyfan1990]

Trailers:

Theatrical Trailer (released today!!!!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ0Bey4YUGI

And in case you missed it, the teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG5MtenlP-A

[blackcauldron85]

I never read the book, but I find the BFG himself to be a teensy bit creepy...? Is he supposed to be? (I mean, I know he's supposed to be big and friendly...)

And...I noticed that this is with Amblin- I'm with Mickeyfan1990- my first thought watching the new trailer was Why no more Roger Rabbit if Disney + Amblin are working together again??!!

[Mickeyfan1990]

And...I noticed that this is with Amblin- I'm with Mickeyfan1990- my first thought watching the new trailer was Why no more Roger Rabbit if Disney + Amblin are working together again??!!

Hopefully that will change soon.

[D82]

A second trailer has been released:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1fZg0hhBX8[/youtube]


And also a new poster:

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/wp-content ... 8_Lg_1.jpg


The film premiered at Cannes on Saturday and it's getting mixed reviews:

http://www.slashfilm.com/the-bfg-reviews-early-buzz/

[JTurner]

I'll decide for myself if this is any good or not.

But it looks promising. BFG was one of my favorite books as a kid, and I'm hopeful Spielberg does justice to it.

[Tristy]

I'm still a bit cautiously optimistic about this one. They seemed to have gotten the relationship between Sophie and the Giant down and Rylance seems perfect for the role. The evil giants though are not scary enough and look more like fugitives from War of Warcraft. Also, what's with the abandoned cars?

Otherwise it looks fairly promising.

[unprincess]

I remember the old animated film showing on the Disney Channel a lot back in the early 90's, it had really nice hand drawn animation. The Giant and Sophie look alot like the animated versions I remember. Ill probably give this(and the animated film, since its been a while since Ive seen it) a Netflix rental, looks cute.

[D82]

A featurette about Mark Rylance's performance in the film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ9m9byHXik

And three TV spots:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0fMN18f_C8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HhLcEDu1Qg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iczpLo4tMFc

And speaking of Steven Spielberg's latest film, which Disney film do you think is his favourite? Find it out here: https://ohmy.disney.com/movies/2016/05/ ... ney-movie/

[Tristy]

The Australian TV spots won't play in my country.

[D82]

I found the first two on other Youtube channels. The third one was like the second but shorter, so you aren't missing anything important. Let me know if you can watch them now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd71a1pdTdE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeEeSjkDATE

[Tristy]

Got it thanks!

[D82]

Great!