Following her well-received turn in the 2013 film adaptation of The Book Thief, young actress Sophie Nelisse has added another literary character to her upcoming slate – Gilly Hopkins.
First published in 1978, ‘The Great Gilly Hopkins’ was written by Katherine Paterson, and won the prestigious Newbery Award which recognises achievements in American literature for children. The heroine of the story, Galadriel ‘Gilly’ Hopkins, is a highly intelligent pre-teen who has been made cynical and bitter following years of rejection by a wide variety of foster families. Things change, however, when she is placed with the formidable Maime Trotter – a highly respected, if unorthodox, foster parent. As Gilly rails against her new authority figure, she discovers that events in her life are heading in an unexpected direction.
Paterson is also the pen behind Bridge To Terabithia, which was adapted for film in 2007. Like that adaptation, the screenplay for Gilly Hopkins will be written by David Paterson. Stephen Herek will direct, having a back catalogue that includes Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure and 101 Dalmations, and his Cruella De Vil – Glenn Close – will also join the Gilly Hopkins cast. In addition to Sophie Nelisse in the title role, Kathy Bates will fill the shoes of foster parent Maime Trotter, and Danny Glover and Octavia Spencer will also feature in supporting roles.
Gilly Hopkins is currently doing the rounds at the Berlin Film Market, with a view to beginning production in April 2014.
