The Magic School Bus is headed on a live-action adventure, with Elizabeth Banks behind the wheel as Ms. Frizzle.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scholastic Entertainment is developing a live-action film based on the popular book series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Although the series was adapted into a popular animated series in the 90s, this will be the first time the franchise has made it onto the big screen.
In addition to starring as Ms. Frizzle, Banks will produce through her Brownstone Productions banner with Alison Small, alongside Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman for Scholastic Entertainment. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, of Mary Poppins Returns production company Marc Platt Productions, and Universal Pictures will also produce.
"We are delighted to bring to life the iconic Ms. Frizzle and her zest for knowledge and adventure in a fresh new way that inspires the next generation of kids to explore science and supports the dedicated teachers who help make science real and accessible for young learners every day," producer Iole Lucchese said in a statement.
Banks has enjoyed a long acting career, which has seen her appear in such series as 30 Rock, Scrubs, Modern Family and FX's Ms. America. Her movie credits include Wet Hot American Summer, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, James Gunn's Slither, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Pitch Perfect, Charlie's Angels and Power Rangers. She has also lent her voice to projects like The LEGO Movie and its sequel, Robot Chicken, Family Guy, American Dad and more. Notably, she appeared as Betty Brant in all three of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies.
The Magic School Bus follows Ms. Frizzle as she takes her class on wild field trips. The eponymous bus has the ability to shrink and grow, as well as transform into anything that suits the topic of learning. For instance, it can become a plane, a submarine and a spaceship; sometimes, it resembles animals, such as a salmon or a frog. The bus' magic has also turned the children into animals, like foxes and bats.
The book series was adapted into an animated series by PBS in 1994, which then went on to air for 18 consecutive years. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse star Lily Tomlin voiced Ms. Frizzle on the long-running show. Netflix revived the franchise in 2017 with a sequel series titled The Magic School Bus Rides Again. The followup starred Kate McKinnon as Ms. Frizzle's sister Fiona.
Starring Elizabeth Banks as Ms. Frizzle, Scholastic Entertainment's The Magic School Bus film does not yet have a release date.