Just last week, word arrived that Lashana Lynch is set to play Miss Honey in the new musical version of Matilda that Netflix is putting together based on the stage show. The streaming service has officially confirmed her casting, while also bringing the news that Emma Thompson and Alisha Weir are also in the movie.
The film, which Matthew Warchus is on to direct following his work bringing the Roald Dahl adaptation to stage, will follow a gifted girl (Weir), who uses her powers of telekinesis to overcome bullies, including her family and her school's principal, and protect her friends. Lynch's Honey is the kindly teacher that encourages Matilda and her gifts, while Thomson's Miss Trunchbull is the cruel, calculating headmistress.
Playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics composer Tim Minchin are also involved in the film, which will be released in the UK by Sony's TriStar arm, before it heads to Netflix. This marks the latter company's latest project launched under its deal with the Dahl estate.