Disney may have its hands rather full with a certain sci-fi motion picture that's emerging in a matter of days, but that's not stopping it planning ahead for blockbuster season next summer.
Hopes are high for the Steven Spielberg adaptation of Roald Dahl's much-loved 1982 book The BFG and now there's finally a first teaser trailer to get a feel for what to expect.
It's been written by Melissa Mathison, who sadly passed away in November, and was responsible for E.T. among many others.
Meanwhile, it will star Mark Rylance (fresh from appearing in Spielberg's recent Bridge of Spies) as the titular friendly giant, with the orphan Sophie played by newcomer Ruby Barhill, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader and Penelope Wilton also featuring. We're particularly intrigued to see Jermaine Clement, star of Flight of the Conchords, star as a "big, mean, homeless giant".
Release is expected in July, so we'll doubtless get a better look at the big guy before then.
Have a watch and see what you think - a first still and the film's synopsis is below.
The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic The BFG to life.
Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s The BFG tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions.
The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see Queen Victoria (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.
