The beloved children’s book series, “The Magic School Bus,” is set to make its big-screen debut as a live-action feature film. Legendary Entertainment and Scholastic Entertainment have announced a collaboration to bring this adaptation to life.
Elizabeth Banks will be stepping into the role of the eccentric and adventurous Ms. Frizzle, the iconic science teacher, in the upcoming film. Alongside Banks, Rob Letterman, known for “Detective Pikachu,” will direct and write the film’s treatment, as well as produce it.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, “The Magic School Bus” has captivated audiences worldwide, selling over 90 million books. Created by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, the series follows Ms. Frizzle as she takes her students on extraordinary field trips aboard her magical school bus, transforming learning into exciting adventures.
The franchise’s popularity has soared since its debut in 1986, with adaptations across various platforms. Notably, the animated series aired on PBS from 1994 to 1997, featuring Lily Tomlin as Ms. Frizzle. Netflix later released “The Magic School Bus Rides Again,” a reboot that ran from 2017 to 2021.
This latest film adaptation marks a new chapter for “The Magic School Bus” and Elizabeth Banks, who has been connected to the project since 2020. Initially set with Universal Pictures, the movie rights eventually landed at Legendary Entertainment for production.