Walden Media Joins DreamWorks Studios e BFG

LOS ANGELES, CA - Walden Media, producer of such hit films as The Chronicles of Narnia series, Bridge to Terabithia, Charlotte's Web, and the Journey to the Center of the Earth series, will co-finance and co-produce DreamWorks Studios' The BFG.

The deal was announced today by DreamWorks Studios President and COO Jeff Small and Walden Media President & CEO Frank Smith.

Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved classic story. The BFG is the exciting tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. It was published in 1982 and has been enchanting readers of all ages ever since. Dahl's books, which also include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Fantastic Mr. Fox, are currently available in 58 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Tony Award winner Mark Rylance will play the titular Big Friendly Giant, while newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as Sophie.'

Said Smith, Walden is delighted to be involved with DreamWorks in bringing this imaginative and timeless Roald Dahl classic to the big screen. I cannot think of a more perfect director than Steven Spielberg to capture the magic and to tell this story.

When it comes to quality entertainment, Walden Media is an ideal partner for this exciting project, and we couldn't be more pleased to have them on board, said Jeff Small.

Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on E.T., has written the screenplay. Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer will produce while Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden and Michael Siegel are on board as Executive Producers. Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Somner are Co-Producers.

Spielberg will begin production on The BFG in March 2015 and it will open in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2016. The Walt Disney Company is distributing the film in the U.S. and select international territories while Mister Smith Entertainment will oversee distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. DreamWorks' partner, Reliance, will distribute the film in India.

Walden Media most recently released The Giver, starring Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, Alexander Skarsg rd, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush and Taylor Swift and is now in post-production on Universal Pictures' dramatic adventure/thriller Everest starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke, Keira Knightley, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Emily Watson and Robin Wright. Walden is also financing and producing a feature film adaptation of Alice Ozma's bestselling memoir The Reading Promise, in collaboration with Relativity Media.

LINK:	http://www.dreamworksstudios.com/news/walden-media-joins-dreamworks-st...
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