Filming is Underway on ‘A Monster Calls’

Filming Begins on A Monster Calls

Director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible) has started shooting his new film, A Monster Calls, starring Felicity Jones, Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Toby Kebbell, and Geraldine Chaplin. The big screen adaptation of Patrick Ness’ bestselling, award-winning novel will be shooting in Spain and England with an eye on releasing the film theatrically in 2016.

Focus Features is handling domestical distribution, Universal Pictures International is on board for the film’s theatrical and home entertainment release in Spain, and Lionsgate International is in charge of foreign sales. Belén Atienza is producing the movie and author Ness, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Bill Pohlad, Mitch Horwits, and Patrick Wachsberger are executive producing. The film is being financed by Participant Media and River Road Entertainment.

A Monster Calls is a beloved and iconic book, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to create a world of monsters and fantasy that does it justice,” stated Bayona. “I’m also delighted to rejoin much of my creative team from The Impossible, and I couldn’t ask for a more talented and prestigious cast, and a more supportive group of studio partners, to help bring this incredible project to the screen.”

“Juan Antonio’s interpretation will bring this story into his own territory,” added producer Atienza. “Once again, we are making a movie with both huge technical challenges and a very intimate story that requires great sensitivity.”

The Plot:

A Monster Calls is a visually spectacular drama about 12-year-old Conor (MacDougall) who attempts to deal with his mother’s (Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss and faith. Neeson will star in performance-capture and voiceover as the nocturnally visiting monster of the title and Weaver will portray Conor’s maternal grandmother. Toby Kebbell is Conor’s father.


-By Rebecca Murray

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