Images: Sky TV Press
By Jon Donnis
Taika Waititi has signed on to star in FING, a new film based on David Walliams' bestselling children's book. Known for his work on Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok, the Oscar-winning filmmaker will play the film's villain, The Viscount, in this family adventure. The cast also includes Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland), Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey), Richard Roxburgh (Elvis), David Walliams (Little Britain), and comedy star Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners). The film will also introduce newcomer Iona Bell in the lead role.
Directed by Jeffrey Walker (The Portable Door), FING follows librarian parents Mr and Mrs Meek (Harrison and Wasikowska), who do whatever they can to keep their spoiled daughter Myrtle (Bell) happy. But Myrtle always wants more. When she demands a strange creature known as a "Fing," her parents have no choice but to track one down. Their search takes them into the depths of the jungle, but the Fing turns out to be just as much trouble as Myrtle herself.
Filming is now underway at Screen Queensland Studios in Australia. The production is a collaboration between UK-based King Bert Productions and Queensland's Story Bridge Films, with Sky Cinema co-financing the project alongside STAN and AGC Studios. The film will be released on Sky Cinema in the UK, while Transmission Films will handle its theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand.
Walliams, who co-wrote the screenplay with Veep writer Kevin Cecil, also has a small role as Myrtle's headmaster. Speaking about the project, he said, "FING is such a fun and visual story with so many flights of fancy, and I can't wait to see it come to life on screen. To have Taika join the cast is absolutely thrilling, he's a fantastic comedy performer, writer, and director, and I know he'll have enormous fun playing the villainous role of the Viscount."
Waititi said he was drawn to the script because of its unique humour. "When I read it, I instantly felt David's quirky wit jump off the page. There's a dark humour and edge to FING, and I'm excited to bring the eccentric Viscount to the screen."
Sky's Head of Original Film, Andrew Orr, called FING the most ambitious adaptation of a Walliams book yet. "With a bold cinematic vision, cutting-edge visual effects and a top-tier international cast, FING is shaping up to be a visually spectacular adventure for the whole family."
With a strong cast, experienced filmmakers and the backing of Sky, FING looks set to be another big-screen success for Walliams' stories.
