The LEGO Batman Movie star Ralph Fiennes has joined the cast of Netflix's Matilda in the role of Miss Trunchbull.
Miss Trunchbull is the cruel headmistress of the school Matilda attends who despises children and loves to punish them in grotesque ways. The casting of Fiennes continues a tradition from the stage version of tapping a male performer for the role. It also continues Fiennes' streak of playing antagonists in everything from Schindler's List to the Harry Potter films.
Director Matthew Warchus will be helming the adaptation of the 2010 stage musical based on the 1988 Roald Dahl children's book. The film is a collaboration between Netflix and Working Title Films and it will debut on the streaming platform worldwide, save for the United Kingdom, where it will receive a theatrical release from Sony Pictures.
Matilda serves as another example of Netflix adapting Roald Dahl properties to help boost its library of family-friendly content. Also part of this push is a pair of TV shows set in the world of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory that Taika Waititi will write. A Matilda musical also reaffirms Netflix's commitment to live-action musicals alongside feature film adaptations of The Prom and Tick, Tick...Boom!
Directed by Matthew Warchus, Matilda stars Ralph Fiennes. The film has yet to receive a release date.
(via Deadline)