After years of silence, the beloved 90s animated classic and children’s literature staple The Magic School Bus is finally gaining momentum for a live-action big-screen debut.
In a major industry shift, Legendary Entertainment has acquired the rights to the project from Universal Pictures, which had originally optioned the property back in 2020, making Legendary the official new home for the whimsical educational adventure.
Acclaimed actress Elizabeth Banks is set to star as the eccentric and fiercely beloved teacher Ms. Frizzle, while also pulling double duty as a core producer on the film. Steering the iconic yellow vehicle is director Rob Letterman, renowned for his successful work on Pokémon Detective Pikachu and Shark Tale, who has officially signed on to both write and direct the adaptation, which has been in development for six years.
The Magic School Bus live-action feature boasts a powerhouse production lineup. Legendary Entertainment is producing the movie in tandem with publisher Scholastic. Joining them in the producer chairs are Marc Platt Productions and Banks’ own banner, Brownstone Productions, ensuring a robust creative backing to bring Ms. Frizzle’s extraordinary, science-defying field trips to life for a whole new generation of moviegoers.
