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Sam Mendes in line to direct another James, this one with a Giant Peach

The former 007 filmmaker is Disney's first choice to direct from a Nick Hornby script 

Jacob Stolworthy
Friday 26 August 2016 05:09 EDT
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Roald Dahl books haven't proved the easiest material to adapt to cinema screens over the years despite many being loved by audiences.

One success both critically and commercially was James and the Giant Peach, Henry Selick's 1996 stop-motion film starring Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes and Simon Callow.

Disney has now deemed that film worthy of a reboot and is reportedly lining up Sam Mendes to direct in his first gig since stepping down as director of the James Bond franchise.

The live-action project - said to be in the very early stages of development - is being written by Nick Hornby (Wild); the classic story follows a young orphan who travels to New York with human-like bugs he finds living in a peach.

American Beauty director Mendes oversaw two Bond films - Skyfall in 2010 and last year's Spectre; it is currently unknown whether Daniel Craig will return as the British spy.

Having found success with its live-action versions of classic fairytales over the past few years - Maleficent, Cinderella and Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book - the House of Mouse have multiple more in the works, including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Dumbo from the mind of Tim Burton.

Beauty And The Beast - Trailer

There is no word on a planned release date for James and the Giant Peach.

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