Legendary Entertainment and Scholastic Entertainment have announced a collaboration to bring the beloved children’s book series, “The Magic School Bus,” to life on the big screen in a live-action feature film adaptation. Elizabeth Banks will be starring as the quirky and adventurous Ms. Frizzle, in addition to producing the film alongside Rob Letterman.
The iconic science teacher, also known as “The Friz,” will be brought to life by Banks, who will not only star in the film but also take on a production role. Rob Letterman, known for his work on “Detective Pikachu,” will direct and write the film’s treatment.
As “The Magic School Bus” marks its 40th anniversary this year with over 90 million books sold worldwide, the series created by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen follows Ms. Frizzle as she embarks on extraordinary field trips with her students aboard a magical, shape-shifting school bus, making science education fun and exciting.
The franchise’s popularity has soared since its debut in 1986, expanding to television and digital platforms. The animated series aired on PBS from 1994 to 1997, starring Lily Tomlin as Ms. Frizzle, and became one of PBS’s top-rated programs for school-age children. Netflix’s reboot, “The Magic School Bus Rides Again,” ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2021, with Tomlin reprising her role alongside Kate McKinnon as Ms. Fiona Felicity Frizzle.
Elizabeth Banks’ involvement with “The Magic School Bus” dates back to 2020 when she was initially connected to a movie adaptation under Universal Pictures, which later transitioned to Legendary Entertainment. The upcoming live-action film is set to bring the beloved series to a new generation of fans.
The announcement of the film adaptation comes as a landmark moment for fans of “The Magic School Bus,” eagerly anticipating the magical journey that lies ahead on the silver screen.