Filming has started on John Stephenson's Five Children And It, which will shoot for ten weeks on the Isle of Man and at Shepperton Studios.

Five Children And It is a Capitol Films project in association with Endgame Entertainment (US), the Isle of Man Film Commission and the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund. It is produced by Nick Hirschkorn and Lisa Henson.

Adapted from the children's classic by E Nesbit, Five Children And It tells the story of a group of children sent away to stay with their uncle in a run-down mansion by the sea. While exploring they dig up an 8,000 year-old sand fairy that is prepared to make their wildest dreams come true.

Directed by Stevenson (Animal Farm), it stars Kenneth Branagh as the eccentric Uncle. Eddie Izzard is the voice of 'It', while Zoe Wanamaker plays Martha, the batty housekeeper.

The main child is played by Freddie Highmore, who is soon to appear as Peter Pan in JM Barrie's, Neverland. Other cast include Tara Fitzgerald (I Capture the Castle), John Sessions (Gangs of New York) and Alex Jennings (The Wings of the Dove).

Jim Henson's Creature Shop TM is helping create the magical world of the film, using a combination of animatronics, live action and CGI.