Living legend Steven Spielberg has unexpectedly dominated headlines over the past few weeks whilst mulling options for his next directorial gig. For a while, it seemed certain that he would be moving into production on the sci-fi war epic Robopocalypse (based on the bestseller by Daniel H. Wilson), but now news is emerging that the director will be helming not one but two projects before that: an untitled Cold War thriller, and an adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel The BFG.
We already knew that Spielberg was eying the former, which stars Tom Hanks as an American attorney who is sent into Russia by the CIA to negotiate the release of a captured spy plane pilot. Now we’re hearing that Spielberg is likely to direct this project before any others. Production should begin in September, with DreamWorks eying an awards-friendly release date in the fall of 2015.
Today also brings news that Spielberg is set to direct an adaptation of The BFG. The beloved children’s book follows a little girl who embarks on a journey with the Queen of England and a big, friendly giant to prevent other, more savage giants from eating humans. Melissa Mathison (who last worked with Spielberg on his 1982 classic E.T. the Extra Terrestrial) is writing the script for DreamWorks. Frank Marshall will produce, and Michael Siegel and John Madden are serving as executive producers.
Spielberg will begin work on The BFG in the first quarter of 2015, with a planned release date in 2016. In a statement, the director said:
“’The BFG’ has enchanted families and their children for more than three decades. We are honored that the Roald Dahl estate has entrusted us with this classic story.”
No word yet on the format that DreamWorks will use, but I’d expect a live-action film with actors using motion-capture to portray the giants. When we hear more though, we’ll let you know.
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