Friday 18th June, 2010

War Horse movie cast announced

Steven Spielberg has today announced he has selected his cast for the movie adaptation of War Horse. Last year the filmmaker purchased rights to Michael’s novel, and has confirmed that he will be directing the project as well. The film is being produced by DreamWorks in association with Reliance and Disney.

British theatre actor Jeremy Irvine will lead the cast as the young horseman. Additional casting includes: Oscar-nominated Emily Watson and David Thewlis (young horseman’s parents), Peter Mullan, Benedict Cumberbatch, Niels Arestrup, Celine Buckens, Nicolas Bro, David Kross, Leonard Carow, Rainer Bock, Robert Emma and Patrick Kennedy.

Disney will release the film in August 2011.

The stage adaptation was originally put on at London’s National Theatre in 2007 and is currently on at the New London Theatre in the West End.

It was announced earlier this year that it would transfer to Broadway in November.

The film version has been adapted by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis from both the original story and stage adaptation.

To read more about War Horse go to the Books section

To book tickets to see the West End Theatre show click here

19 Comments

• Lilly I am really pleased about War Horse. I've just started to read Private Peaceful, I really like the in depth description of the characters emotions

  at 17:31 on the 17 October 2010

• HK Aussie I saw War Horse last Wednesday at the New London theater and it was the most amazing thing EVER. I can honestly say I have never seen better! The horses were so incredibly lifelike, the effects were unbelievable, the singing was so appropriate, as was the use of German and French, the... It was all perfect! I went away feeling so incredible, I wouldn't let my friends talk to me all night, in case they spoilt my mood! I am so psyched to hear that it's going to be a movie!

  at 15:41 on the 17 October 2010

• gabby i read war horse it is sad but i enjoyed it please tell me your comments about this book love u all

  at 11:24 on the 16 October 2010

• Lucy I've just started An Elephant In The Garden and my friends have read it and said it is really sad but I'll try not to cry

  at 15:54 on the 9 September 2010

• Mandy Hi Michael,I live on a farm and have a chicken caled Little Albatross and I never even heard that you have got a book called Little Albatross but now I have read it I can't stop reading it to him now!

  at 17:36 on the 7 September 2010

• Mary I've just started why the whales came and I think it's amazing!

  at 17:30 on the 7 September 2010

• freya This is an amazing book and hopefully a great film! We have had a look @ the film set because they are filming it near to where we live and it looks fantastic!

  at 18:08 on the 5 September 2010

• Annie war horse is fantastic (all morpurgo's books are) but i think private peaceful deserves all this adaptation and publicity more because it is his best best best book and i had a drean about it last night and woke up crying.

  at 08:28 on the 28 August 2010

• Robyn Michael is the most amazing writer I have ever heard of . His books provide inspiration for all young ,enthusiastic bookworms! I truly think he includes everything needed in all of his books.

  at 11:31 on the 27 August 2010

• Maddison Holbrook I am so looking forward to watching War Horse because it is one of my favorite books by Micheal Morpurgo . Micheal Morpurgo rocks !!!!!!!

  at 14:49 on the 24 August 2010

• Fiona I too have just finished reading An Elephant in the Garden to my daughters, 7 & 8. Another wonderful book with tears at the end, from me! Wouldn't it make a fantastic film? I'll be reading that to my Year 6 class this term. Thank you for such glorious books.

  at 13:38 on the 22 August 2010

• Andy Hodges Bumped into a set being built on Dartmoor today, it looked fabulous! Can't wait for the film.

  at 18:31 on the 19 August 2010

• Ruby I adore Michael Morpurgo's books,my favourites are Adolphus Tips and Little Foxes.I've read War Horse and it's about time they made one into a film!

  at 16:42 on the 29 July 2010

• Rebecca Have just finished reading An Elephant in the Garden to my two boys aged 8 and 11. Another wonderful book. Actually got nearly all the way through without crying; but as soon as I read about the circus off I went! My boys despair of me. Thank you Michael and please keep these wonderful books coming. We love reading them together.

  at 23:55 on the 25 July 2010

• S Morpurgo Mazel Tov! - Congratulations! Cannot wait until 2011. You touch the heart ofyour readers. Our Schools and Libraries are richer for your input. Thank you from all the 'other branched' - Morpurgos! UK and California - USA.

  at 17:47 on the 14 July 2010

• Claw Let's hope this is a good movie, and that it comes out on August 4th. Then I can have a really coooooool birthday! Michael Morpurgo, you are so awesome! An inspiration to all young future writers!

  at 12:33 on the 29 June 2010

• Gretchen Haertsch So excited about this! I saw the play in London in March on a trip with Arcadia University students; it was amazing. I particularly wanted to see this play because it is not in the States yet. I bought the book during intermission and have passed it around to family and friends. Everyone loved it. Can't wait to see it on the "big screen" next summer. As a children's writer myself, it's so interesting to learn how a non-Blockbuster book can take off like this. This one certainly deserves it!

  at 16:18 on the 28 June 2010

• gerry what a great cast indeed ..it surely will be a highlight of 2011..congrats and best wishes to all involved..i just finished reading the book last night..and hope to travel to london from ireland soon to see the play..a story has NEVER gripped me as much in my lifetime,just wonderful ..roll on august 2011

  at 09:20 on the 20 June 2010

• chloe lawrence i love michael morpurgos stories and are glad that people are starting to make them into films as enjoy reading them all

  at 10:50 on the 19 June 2010

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