The under-appreciated Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough have joined the cast of the upcoming remake of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story ‘Matilda’ for Netflix and Tristar.
Graham and Riseborough will take on the roles of Matilda’s parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood, comedian Sindhu Vee also joins the cast in the role of Mrs. Phelps the librarian. All three join the previously announced Alisha Weir who takes on the role of Matilda, Emma Thompson as cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull, and Lashana Lynch as the kindly Miss Honey.
The musical adaptation centres on a young genius girl named Matilda Wormwood, who develops psychokinetic abilities and uses them to deal with her disreputable family and Agatha Trunchbull, the ruthless, oppressive and tyrannical principal of Crunchem Hall Elementary School.
Matthew Warchus will direct the film from a script by Dennis Kelly.
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‘Matilda’ previously hit the big screen back in 1996. The family comedy fantasy was co-produced and directed by Danny DeVito from a screenplay written by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord. The film starred Mara Wilson as the title character with DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, and Pam Ferris in supporting roles. Even though it bombed at the box office at the time, the film went on to become a cult classic with a large number of kids.
In 2010, the story was again adapted, this time for the stage with a musical developed by Tim Minchin, who composed the music and lyrics for the production. The show won several Tony awards and Minchin began to plan a movie adaptation of his production.
