Enid Blyton Adaptation ‘Magic Faraway Tree’ Lands U.K. Distribution Deal
Palisades Park Pictures has secured a distribution deal with Entertainment Film Distributors (EFD) for U.K. rights to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s novel.
The family adventure feature stars Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Claire Foy (“The Crown”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and Rebecca Ferguson (“Dune”).
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Ben Gregor (“Britannia”) directs from a script by Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”). Currently in production, the film follows a modern family relocating to the English countryside, where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric inhabitants. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Pippa Harris (“1917”) and Nicolas Brown (“Penny Dreadful”) of Neal Street Productions produce alongside Danny Perkins (“Greatest Days”) of Elysian Film Group. Tamara Birkemoe, Simon Williams, Joe Simpson and Jonathan Bross serve as executive producers.
Palisades is handling worldwide sales, with CAA Media Finance co-repping U.S. rights. Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financing the project.
The deal was negotiated by Palisades’ CEO Tamara Birkemoe with Nigel Green of Entertainment Film Distributors.
Production is currently underway in Malta, after completing filming in the U.K.
“We are delighted to have Entertainment Film Distributors come on board to distribute ‘The Magic Faraway Tree.’ They are the perfect partner to release this enchanting adventure to theatrical audiences in the U.K. and Ireland,“ said Birkemoe. “’The Magic Faraway Tree’ has a wide and global appeal, and Simon’s adaptation of this best-selling book embraces the vivid and rich texture of the story. With Ben’s vision, this will be a marvelous cinematic journey for the whole family to enjoy.”
Palisades is representing the film at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival where its slate also includes “Grendel,” directed by Robert D. Krzykowski, starring Jeff Bridges, Dave Bautista, Bryan Cranston, Sam Elliott, Thomasin McKenzie, Aidan Turner and T Bone Burnett; “Eyes in the Trees,” directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., featuring Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ashley Greene, Thomas Kretschmann and Praya Lundberg; and “That’s Amore!” written and to be directed by Nick Vallelonga, starring John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken.
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