Taika Waititi is in discussions to star in the adaptation of David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book “Fing!,” alongside Rafe Spall, David Walliams and newcomer Iona Bell.
The script for the family fantasy is written by Walliams alongside Emmy Award-winner Kevin Cecil (“Veep”). Jeffrey Walker (“Young Rock,” “Modern Family”) is set to direct.
AGC Intl. is launching worldwide sales, excluding U.K./Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Walliams has sold over 60 million copies of his children’s books in 55 languages.
The film centers on librarians Mr. and Mrs Meek, who will do anything to keep their darling daughter, Myrtle, happy. But it’s not enough for Myrtle who always wants more. When Myrtle declares she wants a Fing, her parents have no choice but to track one down, taking them to the furthest and darkest corners of the jungle.
Fing turns out to be as much as a destructive monster as Myrtle, who in turn has to battle it out with the evil animal park owner, the Viscount, who is determined to own this rarest of creatures.
Jo Sargent of King Bert Productions, and Todd Fellman of Story Bridge Films and Craig McMahon of Forte Corp Pictures are set to produce. Walliams of King Bert Productions and Stuart Ford of AGC Studios are serving as executive producers.
Financiers are Sky, who also hold U.K. rights, AGC Studios and Elevate Production Finance. The production is supported by Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Incentive.
Production is set to commence in the first quarter of next year in Australia and the U.K.
While the film is live-action, key animation will be designed by Academy Award-winning visual effects house Wētā FX.
