EXCLUSIVE: Vertical has taken U.S. to the Neal Street and Elysian Film Group’s fantasy-adventure The Magic Faraway Tree following its near $11M at the UK box office after 11 days in release. Vertical has schedule the pic for a theatrical release on Aug. 21.
Post-pandemic, Magic Faraway Tree is the most successful live-action UK family movie after Paddington in Peru and the Roald Dahl franchises (Wonka and Matilda).
The Simon Farnaby written (Wonka, Paddington 2), Ben Gregor directed film(Britannia, Cuckoo, Black Ops, Fatherhood), and stars 2x Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield (We Live in Time), Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Claire Foy (H is for Hawk), Emmy Award winner Nonso Anozie (Sweet Tooth), BAFTA and SAG Award nominee Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), BAFTA Award winner Jennifer Saunders, and Golden Globe Award nominee Rebecca Ferguson (Dune franchise).
Adapted from Enid Blyton’s beloved classic novel of the same name, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly (Foy), Tim (Garfield), and their three children – a modern family forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. As they adapt to their new lives, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents, including treasured characters Moonface (Anozie), Silky (Coughlan), Dame Washalot (Gunning), and Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns). At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular, fantastical lands, and through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the fantastic response that the film has had in the UK. Ben’s brilliant direction, coupled with Simon’s fabulous screenplay and our all-star cast have drawn in a wide family audience looking for the wit and wonder which the film provides. We’re all thrilled to be partnering with Vertical and delighted to be sharing the movie with US audiences this summer,” said producer Pippa Harris, fresh from the worldwide success of Neal Street’s most recent film, the Oscar-winning film Hamnet.
“With Enid Blyton’s beloved story as its foundation, Simon’s extraordinary script, and a brilliant cast of adults and children led by Andrew and Claire, The Magic Faraway Tree offers something truly special for audiences of all ages,” added Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey. “Ben has crafted a film that captures the wonder of childhood in a way that feels magical, timeless, and made for the big screen. We can’t wait for U.S. audiences to fall under its spell.”
Fully-financed by Ashland Hill Media Finance, with Palisades Park Pictures handling international sales, the film was produced by Pippa Harris, Nicolas Brown, Danny Perkins and Jane Hooks, co-produced by Melanie Davis, and executive produced by Tamara Birkemoe, Michael Cornelius, Jacqueline de Croy, Simon Williams, Joe Simpson, Merrick Stoller, Andy Wang and Matthew E. Chausse. Additional below-the-line talent includes director of photography Zac Nicholson (One Life), production designer Alexandra Walker (This Beautiful Fantastic), Emmy Award-winning editor Gary Dollner (Fleabag), costume designer Ann Maskrey (The Hobbit trilogy) and Oscar nominee hair & make-up designer Karen Hartley-Thomas (Golda), with casting by Lucinda Syson (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) and Natasha Vincent (The Diplomat) and music by Isabella Summers (Lisa Frankenstein).
The deal was negotiated by Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of Vertical and by CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.
Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );