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SINCE
its publication in 1952, Charlotte’s Web, written
by award-winning author E.B. White and illustrated by
Garth Williams, has sold 45 million copies worldwide and
has been translated into 23 languages. Published by
HarperCollins, Charlotte’s Web joins White’s Trumpet
of the Swan and Stuart Little as one of the
most beloved children’s books of all time.
“All
three books carry that signature E.B. White Yankee wit,”
says producer Jordan Kerner, “They are imbued with the
best of American culture. White was a master wordsmith.”
Much
like White’s other book Stuart Little,
Charlotte’s Web has finally come to the big screen
as a Kerner Entertainment Co./Nickelodeon Movies
production presented by Paramount Pictures and Walden
Media.
In
Charlotte’s Web, a very small pig finds that the
most powerful force in the world is the bond of
friendship. After young Fern (Dakota Fanning) rescues
Wilbur the pig—who is almost sacrificed as the runt of
the litter—he becomes the newest addition to the
barnyard. Wilbur has a youthful manner that makes him
seem naïve to the other animals in his new barn, but to
Charlotte—the
spider who lives in the rafters—he holds the possibility
of being a friend. Their developing friendship is shown
to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that
the pig’s days are numbered. It seems that only a
miracle will save Wilbur’s life, but a determined
Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer
that Wilbur is “some pig” and worth saving. Based on the
best-selling children’s paperback of all time, E.B.
White’s magical, beloved story of loyalty and sacrifice
comes to life in this live-action adaptation.
Dakota
Fanning stars on-screen as Fern Arable, the first person
to see Wilbur for the terrific, radiant and humble pig
he is. Julia Roberts is the voice of Charlotte, who
becomes Wilbur’s best friend and savior. Also joining as
cast voices for Charlotte’s Web are Steve Buscemi as the
barn’s sardonic rat, Templeton; Oprah Winfrey as Gussy,
the barn’s maternal-yet-irreverent goose; Cedric the
Entertainer as Golly, Gussy’s gander; John Cleese as
Samuel, the authoritarian sheep; Robert Redford as Ike,
the arachnophobic horse; Kathy Bates and Reba McEntire
as the barn’s sarcastic cows, Bitsy and Betsy; and
Thomas Haden Church and Andre Benjamin as the dimwitted
crows, Brooks and Elwyn.
Charlotte’s Web
is directed by Gary Winick, the film’s screenplay is by
Susannah Grant and Karey Kirkpatrick, based on the book
by E.B. White. Produced by Jordan Kerner, the executive
producers are Edgar Bronfman Sr., Julia Pistor, Bernie
Williams, and Paul Neesan. It is coming soon to Metro
Manila theaters from Solar Films/UIP. |
