The story of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle has been captivating young minds since its publication in 1962. Acclaimed children’s novelist, the late Louis Sachar, called it “one of the greatest fantasy novels ever written”. Now, the classic narrative is being brought to the big screen, with a major Disney release in 2018. This highly anticipated movie adaptation has already been billed as one of this year’s defining fantasy films.
Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time sees an American girl, Meg Murry (Storm Reid) travel through space and time to rescue her father from captivity. Along her journey, Meg is accompanied by telepathic twins, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) and her older brother, Calvin (Levi Miller). With the help of three otherworldly figures, appropriately named Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who (Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling, respectively), they embark on an extraordinary odyssey to overcome the forces of darkness and ultimately save the Universe. Director Ava DuVernay emphatically described A Wrinkle in Time as “an anthem for girl power”. She continued that the core themes of the film are “love, the power of belief, and trusting the road to the unknown”.
The film was written by Frozen-Six screenwriter, Jennifer Lee, and features an incredible multicultural cast to bring this fantasy world to life. Meg’s parents are played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Chris Pine and the adolescent hero is played by Storm Reid,known for several roles in Academy Award winning films. It is truly a groundbreaking film for featuring a vibrant black female protagonist and a strong female team of support. Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who are no longer side-line demons and talking trees, they’ve become an unforgettable female cast of magical guides. The image of this ensemble of women empowers a generation of young women to stand out and speak out, something that is made all the more pertinent by the gender gap still very much evident in the film industry.
Disney is heard to have a big production and budget to this fantasy movie of A Wrinkle in Time, and it is set to be both a visual and aural feast. The movie, thanks to a very generous budget of around $103million, is blessed with an incredible visual display. A top film industry composer Ramin Djawadi, responsible for the soundtracks of hit shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld is the head of the music side of the movie.
A Wrinkle in Time is set to become the definitive fantasy film of 2018, engaging a young audience, whilst celebrating diversity and female agency. The story’s powerful message is pertinent for today, encouraging audiences to break with convention and take a stand for their beliefs. Creative adaptations of classic novels only serve to further reinforce the importance of their stories, and with the great standard of Disney, this movie is packed with the potential to both educate and entertain.
Cast and Crew
Another key element of this grand movie is the creative line-up behind the incredible cast and crew. Ava DuVernay, who previously directed Selma, has given A Wrinkle in Time the artistic vision and creative direction, throwing all safety nets out of the window and grasping the fantasy elements of the movie with both hands. If her previous movies are anything to go by, don’t be surprised if A Wrinkle in Time becomes one of the iconic Disney movies.
Rounding up the star-studded cast and crew is the incredible production crew from Ease of Grasse Tyson and Penguin. Together, they will bring L’Engle’s incredible recreation to life on the big screen, offering filmgoers and diehard fans alike the ultimate on-screen experience.
The movie A Wrinkle in Time has taken the bold step and decided to stray from the conventional aspects of fantasy movies by introducing a predominantly black female cast and also a female director. This deviation from the norm is bound to pay off with the youth of today in search of a heroine who speaks different to the ‘cookie-cutter’ leading female roles that seem to be flooding the big screen.
Trailer
The ever-important trailer has a lot to answer for when it comes to getting the viewers to buy tickets, and Disney has put in great effort to make the trailer as captivating and unique as possible. It includes a number of stunning visuals that will no doubt excite even the most seasoned film buff. The trailer uses modern music from the likes of Sia and Demi Lovato combined with the age-old story of A Wrinkle in Time aiming for what is sure to be a winning combination at box offices this summer.
Disney is well-known for their vast range of fantasy movies, ranging from classic adaptations such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and The Lion King to more recent works such as Moana and Alice in Wonderland. A Wrinkle in Time is set to bring an epic movie experience to this classic Disney repertoire.
The movie takes an often dramatic turn with unexpected plot details and powerful dialogue to evade the classic cliche. The ability to keep viewers on the edge of seats while they wait to see how it will all come together is likely to be one of the main draws of this movie.
Innovation in Animation
From Inside Out to Coco, Disney has made an impressive impact in the world of animation with the use of sophisticated technology and innovative visual effects. A Wrinkle in Time follows this trend with its eye-catching design, drawing upon fascinating new effects which allow for a more dynamic and immersive experience.
Walt Disney Animation Studios have worked hard to create a unique new world. Inspired by the novels of L’Engle, the movie will be presented in a combination of live action and computer generated imagery. The talent and creativity of Disney’s renowned animators have joined forces with groundbreaking new special effects, creating a dynamic and original visual style which boldly showcases the dynamic power of fantasy.
The main goal of the movie is to be a unique and exciting story that can keep viewers of all ages transfixed. In creating a thrilling visual style which can capture the imagination, Disney hopes to do just that. As a frontrunner of the animation industry, it seems that it’s in safe hands.
Campaigns for the Movie
The marketing for A Wrinkle in Time has been no less impressive. Disney Fans throughout the world have been mesmerized by their current campaign #BeAWarrior with which it reaches out to young people to make a difference. It is a campaign that has encouraged youth to be true to themselves, to speak out and to be brave – the key message of the movie and one which the cast members have been great advocates of.
Disney have left no stone unturned and in their missionto build excitement, have explored some unique marketing techniques to engage their fans. This includes an interactive online experience, and innovative content blurring the line between virtual and real word, allowing fans an immersive experience on the official website.
To capture attention, Disney have also created an impressive multi-dimensional social media campaign. They have been utilizing great clips of the movie and amazing cast member profiles to draw attention in the right direction. With weekly recap trailers, the team are relaying the message of what the movie is about and how people’s own stories, no matter how different, can ultimately lead to heroism.
Conclusion
All in all, A Wrinkle in Time looks set to be a stellar release for Disney. In addition to a committed cast and crew, the studio is taking a modern approach to the movie’s marketing, using innovative technology for engaging content and embracing a message which is relevant to its audience. It is clear from all the buzz which has been generated that this is going to be one of 2018’s biggest films.
