Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance today announced further cast names for the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic, The Magic Faraway Tree, which is currently shooting.
Screen legend, the beloved icon, Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous, Shrek 2) has been cast, playing the role of the kids’ ruthless Grandma. Additional supporting roles include Laurence Olivier Award-winner, Hiran Abeysekera (The Life of Pi, The Father and the Assassin) as the Angry Pixie, one of the magical denizens of the woodland, and Pippa Bennett-Warner (Gangs of London, See How They Run, Chloe) as Grandma’s assistant, Hannah.
The Thompson children will be played by newcomers Delilah Bennett-Cardy (ITV’s Tom Jones, RSC’s Macbeth), Billie Gadsdon (Cruella, One Day) and Phoenix Laroche (The Velveteen Rabbit, Trying). Oscar-nominated producer Pippa Harris comments on the latest set of confirmed cast members: ‘Just when we thought our casting line-up couldn’t get any more thrilling, we have been joined by these hugely gifted actors. I know they will bring wit, wonder and warmth to their performances and we’re delighted that they are joining us for this magical adventure’
Principal photography began recently, with filming taking place on location across the South of England and at Shinfield Studios, Reading. Adapted by BAFTA Award-winner Simon Farnaby (Wonka, Paddington 2), the movie is directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia, Cuckoo, Black Ops, Fatherhood).
The film is produced by Academy Award-nominee Pippa Harris (Empire of Light, 1917, Call the Midwife) and Nicolas Brown (Britannia, Informer, Penny Dreadful) of Neal Street Productions, along with Danny Perkins (Greatest Days) of Elysian Film Group, and Jane Hooks (Golda, Living). Executive Producers include Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson and Jonathan Bross and Palisades Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financing The Magic Faraway Tree. Palisades Park Pictures is handling worldwide sales, with CAA Media Finance co-repping US rights. ‘It’s a remarkable opportunity to have gathered such a stellar and magnetic cast,’ added Ashland Hill’s Managing Partner, Simon Williams. ‘We couldn’t be more excited for audiences of all ages to be transported into a world they’ve never seen before, and to experience this wondrous story come to life’.
