Sam Mendes in early talks to direct live-action 'James and the Giant Peach'

Image from Variety

By Darian Scalamoni

        It seems like every week we’re posting about more live-action Disney films and this week is no different. According to Collider, Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall) is in early negotiations to helm a live-action adaptation of James and the Giant Peach. Nick Hornby (Brooklyn, An Education) is set to write the script.

            The book was written by Roald Dahl who also has written other books that have been adapted for the screen like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and The BFG that was just released in theaters in July. The stop-motion feature film of James and the Giant Peach was released in 1996. The story follows James, a young orphan who lives with his cruel, abusive aunts until a magical gift transforms a peach into a giant vessel for adventure.

            In terms of Mendes taking the mantle of a Dahl novel, he actually directed the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory stage musical in 2013, so he’s familiar with his material. He’s coming off the heels of filming the last two James Bond films, Skyfall and Spectre.

            It’s clear that Disney is taking advantage of all these massive properties they have and creating more audience appeal for these live-action films. They released The Jungle Book earlier this year and it has been one of my favorite films of the year. Pete’s Dragon came out just a few weeks ago and now James and the Giant Peach joins a list of probably about 10-12 more Disney live-action adaptations coming soon.