Generations of young readers have grown up on the adventures of Pippi Longstocking, that pigtailed, redheaded “strongest girl in the world” who could lift her pet horse above her head.
Created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, Pippi made her debut in 1945 in her eponymous children’s book, which was a big success and was followed by two sequels. The series has been translated into languages around the world.
But now, a new generation will discover Pippi Longstocking, thanks to a new Hollywood film adaptation that was recently announced.
According to Variety, Studiocanal and Heyday Films will produce the film. You can trust that the material is in the right hands: the studios previously produced a few other acclaimed childhood book adaptations: the studios teamed up on the Paddington films, and David Heyman was the producer of all eight Harry Potter films.
“Pippi has endured and inspired families everywhere through her life-force, strength of character and her irrepressible joie de vivre,” Heyman told Variety. “Astrid Lindgren’s books have been translated around the globe for many years – a testament to her vision, which we are determined to honor with a new film.”
Family members of the author, who died in 2002, approved of the choice in producers.
The books follow the adventures of Pippi Longstocking, the daughter of a sea captain who has supernatural strength and is fiercely independent. She lives in a colorful house called Villa Villekulla. She goes on adventures with her neighbors Annika and Tommy and her pet monkey Mr. Nilsson.
A few film and TV adaptations have been made, but none have been made in recent decades, allowing this adaptation a chance to both win over a new generation of fans to the character, and let older fans revisit a childhood favorite.
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