"The BFG" is one of the most important children's books of the last thirty years. The story of a girl and her seven-meter-tall giant friend has traveled the world not only in its original paper form but also as a stage play and a TV film. Now it's the turn of the big screen, and the magic will be handled by none other than Disney and Steven Spielberg in a combination of direction and production. Here is the first preview.
From Page to Screen
It was 1982 when British writer Roald Dahl published "The BFG". If Dahl's name sounds familiar, it's likely due to his other high-profile works, such as Matilda and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". The story goes that Dahl dedicated "The BFG" to the memory of his daughter Olivia, who passed away at just seven years old. Dahl's novels have circled the globe several times, and logically, Sophie's adventure with her peculiar friend is no exception. The book was adapted into an animated film for British television in 1989, and two years later it became a stage play. That said, what comes next?
The rules for little Sophie at the orphanage were quite clear: don't leave the bed, don't go to the window, and under no circumstances look behind the curtain. In the name of the curiosity that all children possess, Sophie completely disobeys all three rules, and that's how she meets the giant.
The idea of adapting "The BFG" to film took its first steps in 1991. Seven years later, a screenplay was written for Robin Williams, but it was necessary to wait until 2011 for DreamWorks to declare ownership of the rights. In 2014, none other than Steven Spielberg was confirmed as director, and the last stop was in April 2015, when Walt Disney Pictures joined the financing and production. "The BFG" is the first film with the "Disney brand" directed by Spielberg.
Little Ruby Barnhill takes on the role of Sophie, while Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall, Bridge of Spies) will do the same with the giant. In the cast we also find Penelope Wilton (Doctor Who, Downton Abbey) as the Queen of England, and the gorgeous Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3) as Mary. If there are no later modifications, the release of "The BFG" in Spanish territory should share a date with the United States, on July 1, 2016.
