The classic Peter Pan story is getting an exciting modern twist.
Beasts of the Southern Wild writer/director Benh Zeitlin makes his long-awaited return to the screen with Wendy, a "wildly reimagined" take on Peter Pan.
Wendy, co-written by his sister Eliza, is Zeitlin's second feature film. His first, the aforementioned Beasts of the Southern Wild, was a massive critical hit and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress for its then 9-year old star Quvenzhané Wallis (who went on to star in 2014's Annie remake). Starring Devin France in the title role, Wendy looks to be another child-centered adventure sprinkled with magical realism.
Lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued, Wendy must fight to save her family, her freedom, and the joyous spirit of youth from the deadly peril of growing up.
The last major Peter Pan film adaptation was Joe Wright's 2015 film Pan, starring Hugh Jackman and Garrett Hedlund, which served as a prequel for the classic fairy tale. That film was a critical and commercial failure, perhaps best known for its Tiger Lily whitewashing scandal and over-reliance on visual effects. In contrast, Zeitlin's film appears to be taking a characteristically grounded approach. Another Wendy-led Peter Pan project, an adaptation of Laurie Fox's The Lost Girls, has also been announced.
Wendy hits theaters Feb. 28, 2020.