EXCLUSIVE: The Magic Faraway Tree is becoming a franchise with two sequels in the works from the UK’s Neal Street Productions and Elysian Film Group and US-based Palisades Park Pictures is talking to distributors in Cannes.
Simon Farnaby is now writing the next script, loosely based on the characters created by Enid Blyton.
Director Ben Gregor and US-UK financier Ashland Hill Media Finance are returning, as is Malta, a key filming location. The main cast, which includes Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy and Rebecca Ferguson, is also expected to reprise their roles.
The Magic Faraway Tree has grossed almost $20m (£15m) in the UK-Ireland for Entertainment Film Distributors since it was released in March.
It has also taken over $10m in Australia-New Zealand for VVS.
Vertical will release in the US in August.
“We’re trying to work out if it makes sense to shoot two and three [of The Magic Faraway Tree series] together,” said Neal Street’s Pippa Harris, who is now in production on Sony’s four The Beatles films.
“Currently, shooting four films at once, the idea of two doesn’t frighten me.”
The producers are eyeing a 2027 shoot. ”The quicker we can get going, the better,” said Harris. “The kids are such a crucial part of the film’s success, and you don’t want to wait for five years, and all your children have grown up, and are sulky teenagers.”
Elysian’s Perkins is keen to grow an indie UK film franchise.
“What Twilight did for the independent marketplace, and what the Hunger Games did, active franchises in the independent space. Seeing what Paddington has done for Studiocanal has been incredible,” Perkins noted.
“If we can bring something similar to the market, we’d be delighted. We have something here that’s special.”
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