The world premiere of Matthew Warchus’ Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical will open the 66th BFI London Film Festival on October 5.
Directed by Matthew Warchus, who developed and directed the stage show Matilda the Musical from Dahl’s 1988 book, the adaptation stars Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Sindhu Vee and introduces Alisha Weir as the eponymous Matilda.
It is produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title Films and Jon Finn and Luke Kelly of The Roald Dahl Story Company. Screenwriter Dennis Kelly has adapted the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production for the big screen, with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.
The film will receive its world premiere at the Southbank Centre in the Royal Festival Hall and there will also be simultaneous preview screenings of the film at multiple cinemas across the UK.
Sony Pictures UK and TriStar Pictures are releasing the film theatrically in the UK and Ireland on December 2. Netflix is streaming the film across the world excluding the UK and Ireland.
BFI London Film festival director Tricia Tuttle said: “With screenwriter Dennis Kelly, Matthew Warchus has smartly adapted his own production for the screen with absolute verve and gusto. And what a cast: Alisha Weir is a revelation as Matilda; Emma Thompson is a chillingly nasty Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch’s Miss Honey will melt your heart.”
Warchus, said: “What a delight to be opening this tremendous film festival with singing, dancing, green hair and chocolate cake. It’s a real honour to be sharing this joyful and empowering tale of a little girl’s courage and compassion at such a prestigious event.”
The LFF runs from October 5-15; the proogramme launch wiill take place on September 1.
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