Ralph Fiennes has entered negotiations to play headmistress Agatha Trunchbull in an upcoming movie version of the musical Matilda. Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel has been adapted several different times since it was published over three decades ago, most notably as a 1996 film directed by Danny DeVito and starring Mara Wilson in the title role. The film was considered a flop at the box office, making $3 million less than its reported budget, but has found a cult following in recent years.
The property was adapted into a stage musical in 2010, eventually making its way to London’s West End, Broadway and on several tours around the world. In 2013, it won several vaunted Tony Awards, and Tim Minchin - responsible for the music and lyrics - began making plans to transition the musical into a movie, as reported by Broadway World. Minchin, at the time, projected the movie version to be four or five years out, so development of the project has been slower than expected.
The Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye reports Fiennes is in discussions to play Miss Trunchbull in the film - who is also played by a man in the stage musical. The movie musical is being produced by Netflix, which previously announced plans to adapt Matilda and other Roald Dahl stories into animated programs for their service. The status of those programs is currently unclear, as this musical adaptation to film appears to be a separate entity. There’s no other casting news for the new Matilda, but Bamigboye notes production is scheduled to shoot this summer.
The film will be directed by Matthew Warchus, the artistic director of Old Vic Theatre in London. He directed the original stage adaptation of Matilda, and earned an Olivier Award for Best Director. Warchus, while well-known for his theatrical work, has a more limited filmography. Although, he did direct the 2014 film Pride, which earned a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for a Golden Globe award.
Potentially casting Fiennes in a villainous role is a smart decision for the production of Matilda, as the actor is best known for playing Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise. He lacks notable experience taking on musical roles, but he’s no stranger to the stage, having performed in several Shakespeare roles throughout his career. Fiennes hasn’t played any well-known villains since the last Harry Potter film came out in 2011; a turn as the despicable Miss Trunchbull could be an opportunity to flex those evil acting chops once more.
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Source: Baz Bamigboye/Twitter
