English actor Ralph Fiennes is in talks to play headmistress Agatha Trunchbull in Netflix’s adaptation of Matilda.
The upcoming movie is a musical based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel (which has seen different adaptations since it was published).
The most notable adaptation was the 1996 film which was directed by Danny DeVito and starred Mara Wilson as the titular character.
According to Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail, Fiennes is currently in negotiations to portray the character of Miss Trunchbull (who was also played by a man in the stage musical).
Exclusive: #RalphFiennes in negotiations to play bullying headmistress #MissTrunchbull in film version of @MatildaMusical for director #MatthewWarchus . The @NetflixFilm production shoots this summer. pic.twitter.com/oeDA2Dcnca
— Baz Bamigboye @Deadline (@BazBam) January 30, 2020
The movie is produced by Netflix and directed by Matthew Warchus, who helmed the stage musical and got an Olivier Award for Best Director.
Ralph Nathaniel Fiennes is an actor, producer, and director who first achieved success as a Shakespearian interpreter onstage at the Royal National Theatre.
His portrayal of a Nazi war criminal in Schindler’s List (1993) earned him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Fiennes has appeared in many notable films, including Red Dragon (2002), Maid in Manhattan (2002), In Bruges (2008), Clash of the Titans (2010), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
He made his directorial debut in his movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy Coriolanus in which he also played the title character.
Fiennes was honored with the Stanislavsky Award in 2019 for his work behind the camera.
