Universal, Elizabeth Banks's Brownstone Productions and Marc Platt are developing a feature live-action hybrid movie based on Scholastic's The Magic School Bus books by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen. Deadline reported that Banks "will play teacher extraordinaire Ms. Frizzle" and produce with Max Handelman for Brownstone Productions as well as president and CSO Iole Lucchese and senior v-p & general manager Caitlin Friedman of Scholastic Entertainment, along with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel of Marc Platt Productions. Alison Small serves as executive producer for Brownstone Productions.
"We are delighted to bring to life the iconic Ms. Frizzle and her zest for knowledge and adventure in a fresh new way that inspires the next generation of kids to explore science and supports the dedicated teachers who help make science real and accessible for young learners every day," said Lucchese. "We're also extremely excited to be working with such top-tier partners as Elizabeth Banks, Marc Platt Productions, Brownstone Productions, Universal Pictures, and all of the amazing talent assembled for this noteworthy feature film."
The books were first adapted into a PBS animated TV series that aired for 18 years in the U.S. and in more than 100 countries. An animated sequel to the original series, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, made its debut on Netflix in 2017.