by FilmInk Staff
A feature film adaptation of David Walliams’ 2019 book FING is currently in production at Screen Queensland Studios, with a cast that includes Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska, Walliams, Richard Roxburgh, Penelope Wilton, Blake Harrison, Robyn Nevin and newcomer Iona Bell.
An Australian/UK co-production, the film is being directed by Jeffrey Walker (The Portable Door, Apple Cider Vinegar, Young Rock), produced by Jo Sargent (Absolutely Fabulous) and Todd Fellman (Jungle), and will be released by Transmission Films in Australia and New Zealand, as well as premiering on Stan as a Stan Original and as a Sky Original in the UK.
FING follows “librarians Mr. and Mrs. Meek, (Harrison and Wasikowska), who will do anything to keep their darling daughter, Myrtle (Bell), happy. But it’s not enough for Myrtle, who always wants more, more, more!
“When Myrtle declares she wants a Fing, her parents have no choice but to track one down, taking them to the furthest and darkest corners of the jungle. Fing turns out to be as much as a destructive monster as Myrtle, who in turn, must battle it out with the evil animal park owner, The Viscount (Waititi), who is determined to own this rarest of creatures.
“The Headmaster of Myrtle’s school (Walliams) is barely coping as he navigates her antics, while juggling the demands of a school in the modern age.
“Nanny (Wilton) is the opinionated and loyal servant of the Viscount, who she has raised since birth; while the Bank Manager (Roxburgh) has had to deal with the Viscount’s overspending for many years and is running out of patience.”
“FING is such a fun and visual story, with so many flights of fancy, I can’t wait to see it come to life on screen,” said Walliams. “To have Taika join the cast is absolutely thrilling as well. He’s a fantastic comedy performer, writer and director, and I know he’ll have enormous fun playing the villainous role of the Viscount.”
“I was really thinking of my (now teenage) daughters when the role came to me,” said Waititi. “I can’t wait to unleash this absolutely mental Viscount character on audiences. It’s dark, it’s weird, it’s me!”
Apart from the cast and the top tier behind the scenes talent, special effects on FING were developed concept designers at Wētā Workshop.
