This weekend, a film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree arrives in cinemas with the same writer and director team from the first two Paddington movies.
If that wasn’t enough, another British children’s classic is getting the big screen treatment after years in development.
David McKee’s Mr Benn will enter production as a live-action film in 2027, with BAFTA nominee Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, I Swear) set to write and direct and casting for the lead and supporting roles due later this year.
This follows the cancelled 2001 film that was set to star John Hannah as Mr Benn with Ben Kingsley as the Shopkeeper.
Jack Whitehall is one of the producers of the new film and personally we think he’d be a great fit for the lead.
Not only for his public school background that would suit a bowler hat, but also the character is supposed to be around 35-45.
Jones shared: “I adored Mr Benn as a child and immediately saw the importance of introducing him to a new generation, in a live action adventure. Mr Benn finds a unique way to travel through time and space, visiting historical and futuristic worlds to solve apparently monumental problems, with kindness, compassion and common sense. Following on from I Swear, I am keen to work on a project that is humorous and entertaining, whilst at the same time, in a world full of distractions, help focus on what is important. If all goes to plan, Mr Benn might even save the world.”
Meanwhile, McKee’s family added: “The Mr Benn film project has been close to our hearts for many years, it was something our father would often talk about, he was keen to see it happen. It has picked up momentum over time and the pieces have gradually come together. We’re absolutely thrilled to now have Kirk Jones on board to help guide it in the right direction and we are really excited about going back to Festive Road, where we grew up.”
In both the 1960s books and 1970s TV series, Mr Benn is a man in a suit and bowler hat who leaves his London home each day to visit a fancy-dress shop. Inside, he meets the moustachioed, fez-wearing Shopkeeper who has him try on a different costume each time. Mr Benn then leaves through a magic door at the back of the changing room, where he enters the world of the costume he happens to be wearing for an adventure. He’s previously been a Red Knight, Clown, Wizard, Spaceman, Cowboy and Caveman, among others. Despite only having 14 episodes, Mr Benn often ranks among the greatest children’s shows of all time.
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