A biopic on renowned children's book author Kenneth Grahame, creator of The Wind in the Willows, has been in the works for years. Initially to be directed by Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy), he left only to be replaced by Mexican helmer Luis Mandoki, best known for directing the little seen Jennifer Lopez pic, Angel Eyes. At the same time, the search for someone to play the author has run into some hurdles, with Ioan Gruffudd once set for the role, and nobody really stepping in to take his place as the project languished. But now the film is moving forward, with a start date planned and a new star in Adrien Brody.
Reuniting with Celestia Fox, the woman who cast him in his Oscar-winning role in The Pianist more than a decade ago, Brody will now take the lead in Banking on Mr. Toad. Penned by Timothy Haas, the story follows Grahame and his wife Elspeth's relationship with their young son, Alastair, who suffered from numerous health problems. His son's headstrong attitude in facing a difficult life was the inspiration for the popular Mr. Toad character in Grahame's classic The Wind in the Willows. The only other actor confirmed at this point is Brian Blessed as Grahame's best friend, William Furnivall.
It'll be interesting to see how Brody tackles playing the Scottish author, but otherwise this project is shaping up nicely, and can't be hurt by Disney's similar biopic, Saving Mr. Banks. Filming is set to begin later this year.
