Casting Call: Peter Pan
In which we suggest who would star in the next big adaptation, remake, or historical film.
Is there any fairy tale character more alluring than Peter Pan? Not only does he refuse to grow up—a sentiment we wholeheartedly endorse—he also battles pirates, has his very own following of charming hooligan misfits, and he can fly. It’s no wonder Warner Bros. made their forthcoming Peter Pan adaptation a priority. What is surprising, however, is that Joe Wright, who is best known for grand-scale period pieces starring Keira Knightley (Atonement, Anna Karenina, Pride & Prejudice), is in talks to direct. Perhaps young Peter and Wendy Darling are fated for a more overt romantic entanglement this time around.
Originally conceived by Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan is a charismatic young whippersnapper who lives on the fantastical island of Neverland with his mischievous gang, The Lost Boys. Aside from his nemesis, the diabolical pirate Captain Hook, Peter lives a carefree existence, playing with the fairies, Indians, and mermaids that inhabit Neverland. On a routine trip to London with his best friend, a fairy named Tinker Bell, Peter happens upon Wendy Darling. With the help of some fairy dust and “happy thoughts,” Wendy and her brothers fly back to Neverland with Peter. After defeating Captain Hook, a very pragmatic Wendy eventually returns to London so she can indeed grow up.
This isn’t the first time Peter has come to the big screen. In addition to the 1953 Disney film, there was also a poorly received live-action version in 2003 and, of course, Hook, starring Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts. The Warner Bros. adaptation, however, is taking a slightly different approach with by crafting an origin story in the same vein as Batman Begins. Columbia is working on its own Peter Pan film starring Channing Tatum; but don’t worry Warner Bros., we’ve got your casting covered.
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