It's demanding to believe it now, but beloved British children's animation Mr Benn — in which the eponymous, bowler hat wearing gent frequents a mag
It’s demanding to believe it now, but beloved British children’s animation Mr Benn — in which the eponymous, bowler hat wearing gent frequents a magical fancy-dress shop that sends him off, almost Doctor Who-like, on adventures through time and space — only actually ran for 13 episodes when it first aired on the BBC back in the early 1970s. Still, 13 episodes has proven more than enough to foster a half-century spanning love of the character and the concept, and — as we’re learning today — it’s proven enough to make a Mr Benn movie I Swear writer-director Kirk Jones’ next project.
Per a press release issued by 48 Films, BeaglePug Ltd, Jackpot Productions, and One Story High this afternoon, the live-action adaptation of Mr Benn is in dynamic development now, with casting for the lead and supporting roles expected to get underway later this year ahead of a planned 2027 shoot. For Jones, who’ll be returning to a family focused milieu for the first time since 2005’s Nanny McPhee, this is a project with personal ties and large aspirations. “I adored Mr Benn as a child and immediately saw the importance of introducing him to a new generation, in a live action adventure,” shared the writer-director in a statement accompanying today’s announcement. “Mr Benn finds a unique way to travel through time and space, visiting historical and futuristic worlds to solve apparently monumental problems, with kindness, compassion and common sense. Following on from I Swear, I am keen to work on a project that is witty and entertaining, whilst at the same time, in a world full of distractions, helps focus on what is critical. If all goes to plan, Mr Benn might even save the world.”
The family of David McKee, the creator of Mr Benn, said in their own collective statement, “The Mr Benn film project has been close to our hearts for many years, it was something our father would often talk about, he was keen to see it happen. It has picked up momentum over time and the pieces have gradually come together. We’re absolutely thrilled to now have Kirk Jones on board to support guide it in the right direction and we are really excited about going back to Festive Road, where we grew up.”
Inspired by fables, with a lead whose suited and booted style represented his creator’s love for Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, Mr Benn is, by design, something of a timeless character with infinite possibilities for adventure laid out in front of him. We look forward to heading back to Festive Road with him very soon.
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