When we think back to dark family-friendly films which ended up traumatizing us, the 1990 film The Witches is usually at the top of the list. And, for good reason. Not only was Anjelica Huston so fantastically wicked and terrifying, but the make-up and special effects have stood the test of time. When it was announced that a new adaptation was in the works, we could not help but wonder who would take on the role of Grand High Witch, portrayed by Huston.
Today it was announced that Anne Hathaway has secured the part. This is not the first time we have heard Hathaway’s name in connection with the role. Back in December, it was reported that she was fielding offers from both The Witches and the live-action Sesame Street movie, and was initially holding off to figure out scheduling.
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While the 1990 film took a few liberties with the source material, director Robert Zemeckis will stick closer to the 1983 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. It was known that Dahl took great issue with the ending of his book getting drastically changed for the film. In the novel’s ending, the main protagonist, Luke, gets turned into a mouse and remains a mouse. Although he was a young boy, he realizes that he makes for an old mouse and will most likely pass away around the same time as his beloved grandmother, which he accepts. Deemed a bit too dark, Luke (Jasen Fisher) was changed back into a boy at the end of the film. It will be interesting to see how this ending will play out.
In addition to directing The Witches, Zemeckis will pen the script and act as producer, along with his partner Jack Rapke, Alfonso Cuaron, and Guillermo del Toro. No word yet on when the film may be released.
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