Taika Waititi In Talks To Star In ‘FING!’ Children’s Book Adaptation

Oscar winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) is in talks to star in FING!, a family fantasy film based on the bestselling children’s book from David Walliams.

Others in the cast will include Rafe Spall (Just Mercy), Walliams (Little Britain) and newcomer Iona Bell. Production kicks off in Australia and the UK in Q1.

The story follows librarians Mr. and Mrs. Meek, who will do anything to keep their darling daughter, Myrtle (Bell), happy. But it’s not enough for Myrtle who always wants more, more, MORE! When Myrtle declares she wants a Fing, her parents have no choice but to track one down, taking them to the furthest and darkest corners of the jungle. Fing turns out to be as much as a destructive monster as Myrtle, who in turn, has to battle it out with the evil animal park owner, The Viscount, who is determined to own this rarest of creatures.

Jeffrey Walker (Young Rock, Modern Family) will direct from a script written by Walliams and Emmy winner Kevin Cecil (Veep). Jo Sargent of King Bert Productions, Todd Fellman of Story Bridge Films and Craig McMahon of Forte Corp Pictures are set to produce, with Walliams of King Bert Productions and Stuart Ford of AGC Studios serving as EPs. AGC International is handling worldwide sales outside of UK/IRE and ANZ. Financiers are Sky, who also hold UK rights, AGC Studios and Elevate Production Finance. The production is supported by Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Incentive.

While the film is live-action, key animation will be designed by Academy Award-winning visual effects house Wētā FX.