Rebecca Ferguson Set to Star in the Fantasy Film THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE
Rebecca Ferguson is set to star in the film adaptation of Enid Blyton‘s beloved fantasy book series The Magic Faraway Tree. Ferguson joins the previously cast Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran, “a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
“Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
“At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and 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.”
Ferguson will take on the role of Dame Snap, the story’s terrifying headmistress character. Ferguson has some experience playing a nightmarish character as she played Rose The Hat in Doctor Sleep, and she was as evil as evil could get.
Director Ben Gregor said in a statement: “Rebecca is a towering screen presence, one of the finest actors of her generation, and will be an electrifying addition to our movie.”
Other cost members include Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, Jessica Gunning, Dustin Demri Jones, Mark Heap, Oliver Chris, Lenny Henry, Simon Russell Beale, Michael Palin, Jennifer Saunders, Hiran Abeysekera and Pippa Bennett-Warner.
Newcomers Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon and Phoenix Laroche play the Thompson children.
The screenplay is written by Simon Farnaby (Wonka, Paddington 2).
Ferguson will next work on the Peaky Blinders movie opposite Cillian Murphy, Mercy with Chris Pratt, and Kathryn Bigelow’s upcoming Netflix movie. The second season of her Apple series Silo, is set to premiere on November 15.