Bill Hader Joins Steven Spielberg’s The BFG

Steven Spielberg’s filmic slate has become a hot spot of conversation in recent weeks. His mysterious Tom Hanks-starring Cold War epic finally announced its title to the world, and days ago news dropped that the iconic filmmaker had snagged his next project. Reports indicate that the helmer is set to direct Ernie Cline’s pop. culture heavy sci-fi gem Ready Player One. The subsequent reaction nearly broke the Internet, and did raise a few questions. Namely, what about The BFG?

Don’t worry, because Mr. Spielberg hasn’t forgotten about the Roald Dahl classic he’s been developing for years in cahoots with E.T. cohort Melissa Mathison. Nope, that animated caper is ramping up casting, as today brings news that Superbad funnyman Bill Hader has boarded.

While he’d make a cracking titular giant, that role is being mo-capped by Mark Rylance (The Other Boleyn Girl, Bridge Of Spies), with Hader set to tackle another behemoth meanie. Based on the strength of Hader’s previous performances, and in particular his chucklesome vocal turns, he’s a great catch for Spielberg’s adaptation. He joins the aforementioned Rylance, and newcomer Ruby Barnhill, who will transport audiences into the magical land of Giant Country via the adventures of her character Sophie.

The BFG is expected to commence production shortly in Vancouver, and will open worldwide on July 1, 2016. Before then, reacquaint yourself with Dahl’s wondrous story by checking out the synopsis below.

The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, or any of the other giants—rather than the BFG—she would have soon become breakfast. When Sophie hears that the giants are flush-bunking off to England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!