Steven Spielberg To Direct Roald Dahl’s ‘The Bfg,’ Will Shoot Tom Hanks Thriller First

Steven Spielberg will direct an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel “The BFG.”

The story follows a little girl who leads a big, friendly giant and the Queen of England on a journey to stop the fiercer man-eating giants from gobbling children.

DreamWorks acquired rights in 2010, and Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on “E.T.,” will pen the script. Frank Marshall will produce, with Michael Siegel and John Madden on board as executive producers. Madden was originally set to direct “The BFG” but is instead focusing on the sequel to “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

Spielberg will begin production in first quarter of 2015, with a planned 2016 release.

“’The BFG’ has enchanted families and their children for more than three decades. We are honored that the Roald Dahl estate has entrusted us with this classic story,” said Spielberg in a statement.

However, the busy director is likely to first direct the untitled Tom Hanks thriller for DreamWorks in September, with Tom Hanks starring in the true story of an American attorney enlisted by the CIA during the Cold War.