Lionsgate is diving back into the world of “Wonder.” The studio and the producers of their family film have acquired “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” and will adapt it into a feature film that is a follow-up from R.J. Palacio, the author of “Wonder.” The news was announced on Tuesday by Lionsgate’s president of the motion picture group Nathan Kahane.
Palacio’s “White Bird” is a graphic novel that will be released on Tuesday as published by Alfred A. Knopf, and though this book is set during World War II in Nazi-occupied France, the stories of “Wonder” and “White Bird” are connected.
“White Bird” follows the story of a young Jewish girl hidden away by a boy and his family in Nazi-occupied France, including her fairy-tale life before the war until everything is abruptly changed. Suddenly the boy she and her classmates once shunned becomes her savior and best friend. But the emotional hook of “White Bird” is that it’s recounted by a woman named Grandmere to her grandson Julian, who fans of “Wonder” should recognize from the book and film. Her story also serves as Julian’s evolution and demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges and even save lives.
Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman produced “Wonder” alongside Palacio, and the three are teaming up again to produce the new feature film based on her graphic novel. “White Bird” will be overseen by James Myers for Lionsgate.
“Lionsgate is enormously proud of our association with world class writers who speak from the heart and soul and with a powerful, authentic voice. There can be no more important, hopeful or inspirational message today than those found in R.J.’s books. She is an extraordinary talent,” Kahane said in a statement. “‘White Bird’ like ‘Wonder’ is about taking risks, taking a stand and the power of kindness. It is about the power and consequences of being brave and we are thrilled to be adapting ‘White Bird’ together with her and Mandeville Films.”
“The team at Lionsgate values artists and storytellers and has been crucial to expanding the fan community surrounding ‘Wonder,'” Palacio said. “They have been enormously supportive as I have been writing ‘White Bird’ and I could not feel more secure that my new graphic novel is in the right creative hands at the right studio.”
“R.J. Palacio is a gifted story teller and has a way of teaching through her stories in such a beautiful way,” Hoberman and Lieberman said. “‘White Bird’ is such a story that the whole world should read and we look forward to bringing it to the screen.”
“Wonder” starred Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay in the story about a boy born with facial differences who is entering a public school for the first time and struggles to be accepted by his new classmates. The film, which was released in 2017, was directed by Stephen Chbosky and made $305.9 million worldwide at the box office.
Palacio is represented by Howie Sanders of Anonymous Content and Alyssa Eisner Henkin, of Trident Media Group.
10 Films Directed by Women to Check Out This Fall, From 'Frozen 2' to 'Little Women' (Photos)
After years of criticism over the lack of gender diversity among directors in Hollywood, studios are finally starting to hire more women. 2019 is the first year that all major studios are releasing at least one film directed by a woman, and this fall's slate has plenty of women contributing movies, from animated blockbusters to potential Oscar contenders. Here are 10 to look out for.
Lorene Scafaria - “Hustlers” (Sept. 13)
The writer of “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” will direct this crime dramedy for STX based on Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine article “The Hustlers at Scores.” The film features a cast led by Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez in a true story about a team of strippers who seduced and stole from Wall Street’s elite after the 2008 recession.
STX
Jill Culton - “Abominable” (Sept. 27)
September usually has an animated feature on the release slate, and this year’s offering comes from DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio with Jill Culton’s tale about a Shanghai girl who goes on an adventure to help a Yeti return to Everest. Culton, who directed “Open Season” for Sony, left and returned to “Abominable” during its development.
DreamWorks Animation
Kasi Lemmons - “Harriet” (Nov. 1)
Every weekend in November will have a film made by a woman hitting theaters, starting with Focus Features’ biopic starring Cynthia Erivo as the famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Kasi Lemmons, who directed Samuel L. Jackson in “Eve’s Bayou,” is working here with a cast that includes Janelle Monae and “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr.
Focus Features
Alma Har’el - “Honey Boy” (Nov. 8)
Next is a film that left Sundance utterly speechless. Alma Har’el, a longtime commercial director who has fought bias in the ad industry, directs longtime collaborator Shia LaBoeuf in “Honey Boy,” a film written by LaBoeuf as an unflinching examination of his life as a child actor. LaBoeuf stars as a character based on his abusive father.
Amazon Studios
Elizabeth Banks - “Charlie’s Angels” (Nov. 15)
Having previously directed “Pitch Perfect 2,” Elizabeth Banks is bringing “Charlie’s Angels” back to the big screen, and also starring as this incarnation's Bosley to a new team of Angels (Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska) in a Townsend Agency that has expanded worldwide.
Sony
Marielle Heller - “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (Nov. 22)
November 22 will be the big weekend. Marielle Heller, who last year directed Melissa McCarthy to an Oscar nomination in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, helms this biopic based on the friendship between writer Tom Junod and Mister Rogers, played by Tom Hanks.
Sony
Jennifer Lee - “Frozen II” (Nov. 22)
On the same weekend, Jennifer Lee will team up once again with Chris Buck to bring Anna and Elsa back to the big screen. “Frozen” catapulted Jennifer Lee into the top tier of animators, and last year she was named the new creative head of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Disney
Melina Matsoukas - “Queen & Slim” (Nov. 29)
But while “Frozen II” will be a family delight, Melina Matsoukas will be bringing something much darker. Written by Lena Waithe, “Queen & Slim” stars Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith as a couple who must go on the run after they shoot a police officer during a traffic stop gone wrong.
Universal
Chinonye Chukwu - “Clemency” (Dec. 27)
Alfre Woodard stars in this year’s Sundance U.S. Dramatic Jury Award winner that also looks like a strong awards season contender. Director Chukwu became the first black woman to win that prize with this tale about a prison warden who oversees inmates on death row. .
NEON
Greta Gerwig - “Little Women” (Dec. 25)
Another likely awards season contender from Gerwig, still riding high from her “Lady Bird” Best Director nomination, this is the eighth feature adaption of the Alcott literary classic. The murderer’s row of a cast includes: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep and Timothée Chalamet. Get ready for this one to be talked about for months.
Sony
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From Heller to Gerwig and beyond, the opportunities for female filmmakers to shine are growing
After years of criticism over the lack of gender diversity among directors in Hollywood, studios are finally starting to hire more women. 2019 is the first year that all major studios are releasing at least one film directed by a woman, and this fall's slate has plenty of women contributing movies, from animated blockbusters to potential Oscar contenders. Here are 10 to look out for.