Based on one of history’s most beloved children’s books, Sony Pictures’ upcoming adaptation of Crockett Johnsonit is Harold and the purple pencil had no trouble drawing in a star-studded cast. Featuring the acting talents of Zacharie Levi, Zooey Deschanel, Lil Rey Howery, Ravi Patel, Camille Guatyand Tanya Reynoldsthe directorial debut from the two-time Oscar nominee Carlos Saldanha has amassed quite an impressive set already, and this remarkable roaster is only getting bigger. As announced earlier today, Crazy ex-girlfriendit is Pete Gardner also joined the expanding cast in an undisclosed role.
Details remain relatively limited regarding this feature film adaptation of the influential children’s book, but as Deadline reported, Harold and the purple pencil should follow the wondrous misadventures of Harold, an imaginative four-year-old who creates his own world using the power of his purple crayon. It’s unclear whether Gardner is playing a significant role, a voice-only role, or little more than a walk-in cameo, but his involvement in the upcoming film was announced shortly after production wrapped. of the movie.
Best known for his famous performance as Darryl Whitefeather in The CWit is Crazy ex-girlfriendGardner was last seen in HBO Maxit is Our flag means death and FloQast Studios‘ CPB. He appeared in nearly 100 different films and shows throughout this expansive and versatile acting career.
Interview with Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez and Carlos Saldanha for RIO
Produced by John Davis and written for the screen by David Guion and Michael HandelmanSony’s film adaptation of Johnson’s franchise Harold and the purple pencil will complete a 30+ year journey to bring this beloved picture book to the big screen. Certainly, given the passion, heart and creativity that shines in the 65 pages of Johnson’s esteemed novel, it’s not at all difficult to understand why Hollywood producers went to so much effort – with little or no success – to bring this dazzling, magical purple pencil story to the big screen.
Going back to 1992, when Maurice Sendakproduction company, Wild Things Productionshad tapped Henry Selick to direct his own hit adaptation, only for the animation filmmaker to move on to direct James and the giant peach instead, the Hollywood heavyweights wanted to bring that searing, fervent ingenuity from Johnson’s highly acclaimed book to audiences around the world. Spike Jonze, David O. Russelland Will Smith have all been attached to the project at various times in the project’s checkered history. Alas, it took quite a while – a few decades, in fact – for this to finally happen. Hopefully the wait will be worth it. And we don’t have to wait much longer for this long-promised film to arrive.
Harold and the purple pencil will be released on January 27, 2023. In addition to finally making its way to the big screen, Johnson’s novel has also inspired an upcoming Broadway musical, as it was revealed in March.
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