After years of anticipation, fans of The Magic School Bus will be thrilled to learn that a live-action feature film adaptation is in the works. Legendary Entertainment and Scholastic Entertainment, the media arm of the renowned children’s book publisher, have teamed up to bring the beloved children’s book series to the big screen.
In an exciting development, Elizabeth Banks has been cast as the quirky and adventurous Ms. Frizzle, who will lead the educational escapades on the magical school bus. Banks will not only star as “The Friz” but also take on a producing role alongside Rob Letterman, known for his work on Detective Pikachu, who will direct and write the film.
As the iconic series marks its 40th anniversary this year, having sold over 90 million books globally, fans can expect the film to stay true to the spirit of the original works. Created by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, the stories follow Ms. Valerie Frizzle as she embarks on extraordinary field trips with her students aboard a shape-shifting school bus, all aimed at making science an exciting adventure.
Since its debut in 1986, The Magic School Bus has garnered widespread popularity, expanding its reach to various media platforms. The franchise’s most notable screen adaptation was the PBS animated series, which aired from 1994 to 1997, with Lily Tomlin voicing Ms. Frizzle. The show became a hit, ranking among PBS’s top programs for school-age children worldwide.
In more recent years, Netflix attempted to revive the magic with The Magic School Bus Rides Again, featuring Tomlin reprising her role and Kate McKinnon as Ms. Fiona Felicity Frizzle. The animated reboot ran for three successful seasons from 2017 to 2021.
Elizabeth Banks’ involvement with the project dates back to 2020, as she was previously linked to a movie version of the series under Universal Pictures. Following a shift in production rights, the project found its home at Legendary Entertainment, where the live-action adaptation is now taking shape.
