Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”), Laurence Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (“Life of Pi”) and Pippa Bennett-Warner (“Gangs of London”) have joined the cast of the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Tree,” which is currently in production.
Based on Blyton’s popular Faraway Tree series, the film follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastic tree’s inhabitants transport visitors to faraway lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.
Saunders has been cast as the children’s grandmother, Abeysekera as an angry elf and Bennett-Warner as Hannah, the grandmother’s assistant. Newcomers Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon and Phoenix Laroche will play the Thompson children.
These actors join previously announced cast members Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan, Jess Gunning, Nonso Anozie, Dustin Demri Jones, Mark Heap, Oliver Chris, Lenny Henry, Simon Russell Beale and Michael Palin.
Filming has begun. Shooting is taking place across the South of England and at Shinfield Studios in Reading. The screenplay is by Simon Farnaby (“Wonka,” “Paddington 2”) and directed by Ben Gregor (“Britannia,” “Black Ops”).
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance are behind the project. Producers include Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown of Neal Street Productions, Danny Perkins of Elysian Film Group and Jane Hooks. Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financing the film, Palisades Park Pictures is handling worldwide distribution and CAA Media Finance is co-representing the US rights.
Harris said: “Just when we thought our cast couldn’t get any more exciting, these incredibly talented actors have joined us. I know they will bring wit, wonder and warmth to their performances and we are delighted to have them join us on this magical adventure.”
Simon Williams, managing partner of Ashland Hill, added: “It is a remarkable opportunity to assemble such a stellar and fascinating cast. We couldn’t be more excited about taking audiences of all ages into a world they have never seen before and bringing this wondrous story to life.”
