A Brooklyn-ite with a gaggle of pet penguins? Is this the next phase of hipsterdom? Hardly. Noah Baumbach and Ben Stiller are in talks to join 20th Century Fox’s film adaption of Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding, and most recently Greenberg, which stars Stiller) has never directed a children’s film, but co-wrote Wes Anderson’s 2009 adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox. (This gives him the edge he needs to be trusted with such a beloved and widely read children’s book.) I’m assuming Stiller would play Mr. Popper, but will his penguins be live? Or will this adaptation incorporate some CGI penguins or stop-motion animation? If anything, it’s safe to say that this will be highly anticipated. And as Happy Feet and March of the Penguins have proven: moviegoers love penguins.
Speaking of beloved children’s books, what about recreating one of my childhood favorites, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola? For those of you who may not have read the classic, it’s the story of a magical old woman who has the power to rid her fellow villagers of their problems through the help of her magical pasta pot. Couldn’t you see Meryl Streep with long, white-blonde hair, magically solving all of the world’s problems, with the same zest for food she displayed in Julie & Julia? Plus, it’s a chance to film in Italy!
Do you want to see Mr. Popper’s Penguins come to life on the big screen? What are your thoughts on a possible Noah Baumbach recreation? Have a favorite children’s book you wish would be adapted to film?
YES!!! it was one of my favorite children’s books growing up. My brother even dressed up as Mr. Popper in the 2nd grade for a book fair
I forgot about that book, but I loved it when I was little!
Me too!!!!
It’s not Baumbach im worried about here, it’s Stiller.
i agree. the words “ben stiller” made me very very cautious. it is a book i adore!!
I would LOVE to see The Witch of Blackbird Pond made into a movie. I first read it way back in Jr High and just reread it. It is well written and would translate to a lovely movie.
I’d love to see an adaptation of Hershel and the Chaunnauka Goblins. I loved that book at a kid. I’d also like someone to finally make The Magician’s Nephew or The Horse and His Boy made into movies- they are my two favorites of the Narnia series that are constantly ignored.
also:
Follow My Leader
any of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books
edit: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. I have no idea how I spelled that so incorrectly. I apologize.
YES! Every June, when I asked my 2nd graders for their pick of the book we read together that they loved the most, it was always Hershel. And considering I had read it to them 6 months before, that’s sayin’ something!
Those are my two favorite Narnia books, too!! The imagery, emotion, and drama in both those books would make awesome films. There’s more darkness in The Magician’s Nephew than many of the others in the series, maybe that’s why I like it so much. The Horse and His Boy is such a fun story.
What about the classic “Superfudge”? I must have read that book 20 times when I was younger.
Yes! And Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing too… some of my favorite books as a kid.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for sure! Those books are my all time favorite and I’m currently reading them to my kids now.
OMG Meryl as Strega Nona would be the best thing ever. One of my FAVORITE books as a kid! Brilliant idea.
I loved Strega Nona. I didn’t discover it until later in life but it has a wonderful message.
I’m still surprised no one has made Dean Koontz’ Oddkins. It’s a children’s story for adults.
I can’t wait for King Dork! More of a YA book but I love it!!!!! Soooo much!
The Enormous Egg. Any and every Judy Blume book. Banner in the Sky.
FERDINAND!
I would love, love, love to see The Westing Game made into a movie!!
It’s old, old, old, but I think The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew would make a charming period movie. I read it countless times as I was growing up.
Don’t Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus!
Actually, that would be freaking hillarious, but perhaps as a series cartoon. If it was CGI then there would have to be a lot of improved stuff.