The Magic Faraway Tree Gets a Contemporary Makeover

Vertical’s upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s 1940s *The Magic Faraway Tree* shifts the story to a present-day English countryside. The screenplay, written by Simon Farnaby, reframes the original adventure and family themes for “kids of today” while preserving the author’s core values.

Hollywood Reporter

The film reunites Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, who previously co-starred in 2017’s *Breathe*. Garfield takes on the role of father Tim, while Foy plays mother Polly, a former electronic-engineer who quits a data-collecting smart-fridge job. Their on-screen children are portrayed by Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Phoenix Laroche and Billie Gadsdon. An ensemble of adult talent—including Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, Dustin Demri-Burns, Jessica Gunning, Oliver Chris, Michael Palin and Dame Judi Dench (voicing a fridge)—joined after Garfield’s involvement attracted additional “legends.”

Hollywood Reporter

Garfield notes the project marks his first foray into family cinema and highlights a collective desire for “reconnection to nature.” Foy adds that updating the story is essential to reach a broader audience, while Gregor points to a market appetite for “adventure, nostalgia and escapism” in big-screen family fare. The movie is slated for a late-August theatrical release.

Hollywood Reporter

• “Simon [Farnaby] made it really relevant. He made it about kids of today, but with all the values and excitement of the adventures of Enid Blyton. He brought the two worlds together in this amazing, tender, warm, funny way,” — Ben Gregor, one that director

Hollywood Reporter

• “What Simon has done is he’s made it incredibly modern and rightly so. To make a film about this, what it’s like to be a kid now and what it’s like to be a parent now, it feels really important,” — Andrew Garfield

Hollywood Reporter

• “There’s a hunger for adventure and the nostalgia of a big family film and the sense of escapism,” — Ben Gregor, one that director

Hollywood Reporter

• “Everyone started following — more and more people, legends like Michael Palin and Judi Dench, who plays a fridge,” — Ben Gregor, one that director

Hollywood Reporter

• “Simon is such a great writer. He’s so full of heart and very, very genuinely funny,” — Andrew Garfield

Hollywood Reporter