Tom McCarthy In Spotlight To Re-Write Disney’s Christopher Robin

Tom McCarthy is all set to work his magic on Disney’s live action Christopher Robin movie. He will pen a re-write of the beloved series by A.A. Milne, first released in 1926, with various Disney features being aired since 1966.

McCarthy replaces Alex Ross Perry who despite boasting a solid roster of films under his belt (Listen Up Philip, Queen of Earth), was given the push in favour of McCarthy, who is a more seasoned script-writer.

McCarthy’s award-winning work is a high bar, which no doubt stood him in better stead. In 2015 he won the coveted Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Spotlight, whilst Spotlight – the film which he also directed – bagged Best Picture.

This is a bold decision by Disney, who want to replicate their previous success and build on their portfolio of high-performing live-action adaptations. The Jungle Book was a surprise whopper, grossing a worldwide total of $966.5 million against a budget of $175 million.

Christopher Robin is in the very capable hands of McCarthy, who will undoubtedly treat the subject matter with the respect and attention he has shown in Spotlight. Whilst the original focuses on Christopher Robin as a child, the update will concentrate on the eponymous character who is now an adult. It will be interesting to see Christopher Robin in a new avatar, grappling with the niceties of adulthood, and how as a grown-up, he interacts with Pooh and his motley crew of woodland friends.

McCarthy has a number of scripts in development. He is also producing and directing 13 Reasons Why, a highly vaunted Netflix series based on a YA mystery novel slated for release at the end of this month.

Source: Empire