‘Mr Benn’ Film: Harry Potter Producer, Jack Whitehall, Kirk Jones Team
The movie version of Brit kids classic Mr Benn has new impetus with recent BAFTA nominee Kirk Jones (I Swear) joining as writer-director.
Behind the new incarnation of the film are Branwen Prestwood Smith (The Mauritanian) and Mike Prestwood Smith for 48 Films, David Barron (the Harry Potter franchise) for BeaglePug Ltd, comedian and actor Jack Whitehall (Bad Education) for Jackpot Productions and Nanny McPhee director Jones for One Story High.
The live action film adaptation of the children’s book and animated TV series is currently in development with casting for the lead role of Mr Benn plus supporting roles due to start later this year, and production earmarked for next year.
The popular animated series, created by David McKee and first broadcast on the BBC in 1971, charts the story of everyman Mr Benn, an ordinary man who has extraordinary adventures whenever he visits a magical fancy-dress (costume) shop. After finding a new look from the shopkeeper, Benn would leave through a magic door at the back of the changing room and enter a world appropriate to the new costume. Only 13 episodes were produced but the show was a hit and repeated regularly.
In 1999, it was reported that a film was in development and that director Jevon O’Neill’s production company, Erinfilm, had purchased the rights from McKee. The film was to star John Hannah as Mr Benn and Ben Kinglsey as the shopkeeper. However, that film never got off the ground.
Jones noted his immediate connection to the character and the live-action film adaptation: “I adored Mr Benn as a child and immediately saw the importance of introducing him to a new generation, in a live action adventure. Mr Benn finds a unique way to travel through time and space, visiting historical and futuristic worlds to solve apparently monumental problems, with kindness, compassion and common sense. Following on from I Swear, I am keen to work on a project that is humorous and entertaining, whilst at the same time, in a world full of distractions, help focus on what is important. If all goes to plan, Mr Benn might even save the world.”
The McKee family added: “The Mr Benn film project has been close to our hearts for many years, it was something our father would often talk about, he was keen to see it happen. It has picked up momentum over time and the pieces have gradually come together. We’re absolutely thrilled to now have Kirk Jones on board to help guide it in the right direction and we are really excited about going back to Festive Road, where we grew up.”
