Elizabeth Banks To Star As Ms. Frizzle In Live-Action ‘Magic School Bus’

Men and women growing up in the nineties can vividly remember the wildly entertaining animated PBS series The Magic School Bus. The educational show provided viewers with a bevy of laughs and lessons over the course of its four seasons. Now, as first reported by Collider, a new live-action/animated hybrid film is in the works and The Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks will star as the iconic Ms. Frizzle.

Scholastic Entertainment announced Thursday morning that the film will come from a collaboration between Universal Pictures, Brownstone Productions, and Marc Platt Productions. After over 20 years, the new project will be the first time the franchise will broadcast on the big screen.

In addition to a starring role, Banks will serve as one of the film’s producers. Additionally, Marc Platt (La La Land), Max Handelman (Pitch Perfect 2), and Adam Siegel (Hotel Artemis) are on board to produce as well. Scholastic Entertainment President Iole Lucchese will oversee the film’s production.

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Based on the book series of the same name by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen, The Magic School Bus focuses on Ms. Frizzle and her class. Together, they board a magic bus that takes them on field trips to unusual times and locations. Their adventures take them to places such as the Cretaceous Period, outer space, and the interior of the human body. In 2017, Netflix launched a sequel series titled The Magic School Bus Rides Again with the legendary Lily Tomlin reprising her role as Ms. Frizzle.

Moreover, Elizabeth Banks has performed in an incredible litany of films throughout her career. Most recently, the filmmaker starred in and directed Charlie’s Angels in 2019. Additionally, the actress starred in James Gunn’s Brightburn and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part last year.

What do you think? Will you check out the upcoming Magic School Bus film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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