The gorgeous poster for The BFG proclaims it’s from the human beans that created E.T. and the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda. It also features young actress Ruby Barnhill gazing up at the BFG (played by Mark Rylance). Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the book by Roald Dahl, the cast also includes Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, and Bill Hader.
Melissa Mathison (E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, The Black Stallion) adapted Dahl’s book for the screen. Spielberg, Frank Marshall, and Sam Mercer produced, and Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Michael Siegel, Frank Smith, and Naia Cucukov executive produced.
The BFG Plot: The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.
Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows. But Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Says Spielberg, “It’s a story about friendship, it’s a story about loyalty and protecting your friends and it’s a story that shows that even a little girl can help a big giant solve his biggest problems.” Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.
