Legendary children's TV character Mr Benn set for live-action big-screen film from I Swear filmmaker

Legendary animated children's TV character Mr Benn is set for a live-action big-screen film from the award winning filmmaker Kirk Jones.

The character of Mr Benn was first created by author David McKee in a series of four books, the first of which was published in 1967.

The series followed Mr Benn, in his trademark lounge suit and bowler hat, an ordinary man who has extraordinary adventures whenever he visits a magical fancy-dress shop.

In the shop he is invited by its owner to try on a particular outfit and then leaves through a magic door at the back of the changing room and enters a world appropriate to the costume, with each adventure usually containing a moral lesson appropriate for children.

Shortly after the book's release it was adapted into an animated TV series by the BBC which ran from 1971 to 1972.

Though only 13 episodes were ever produced, due to its popularity the series was repeated regularly and became one of the most fondly remembered programmes in British children’s television history, often ranking among the greatest children’s shows of all time in viewer polls.

Now, it's set for its second on-screen adaptation, the first live action, with production of the new film due to start later this year, with filing to begin in early 2027.

Kirk Jones, the award winning writer and director behind Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine and, more recently, I Swear, has been brought onto the project.

Speaking about the development of the new film, he noted his immediate connection to the character and the live-action film adaptation.

• Read More: As if by magic, Mr Benn first appeared on our screens over 50 years ago – and he's still as popular as ever

"I adored Mr Benn as a child and immediately saw the importance of introducing him to a new generation, in a live action adventure.

"Mr Benn finds a unique way to travel through time and space, visiting historical and futuristic worlds to solve apparently monumental problems, with kindness, compassion and common sense," Jones said.

He continued: "Following on from I Swear, I am keen to work on a project that is humorous and entertaining, whilst at the same time, in a world full of distractions, help focus on what is important.

"If all goes to plan, Mr Benn might even save the world."

David McKee initially only wrote four Mr Benn books entitled Red Knight, Gladiator, Pirate and Zoo Keeper, all of which he also illustrated himself.

Over 30 years later he published a fifth Mr Benn book in 2001 and hinted at more to come but no further books in the series were published before his death in 2022.

Speaking of the new live-action film, the McKee family said: "The Mr Benn film project has been close to our hearts for many years, it was something our father would often talk about, was keen to see it happen.

"It has picked up momentum over time and the pieces have gradually come together. We’re absolutely thrilled to now have Kirk Jones on board to help guide it in the right direction and we are really excited about going back to Festive Road, where we grew up."

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