While a lot of my childhood is a blur, I will never forget Katherine Paterson’s 1978 book Bridge to Terabithia. I am pretty sure my eyes still hurt from all the crying.
The story is about two outcasts in the fifth grade named Jess and Aaron, who create a magical land in the woods called Terabithia, where they reign as king and queen. It’s a lovely place for them to retreat to when they’re done getting mocked and bullied by the school thugs.
It was only a matter of time before the Hollywood machine got its hands on the rights and made it into a feature film. (Not counting the crappy straight-to-video version from 1985 that is best wiped from memory). According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney and Walden Media are making the action adventure/fantasy movie, and Zooey Deschanel (Elf) has been cast as a teacher that the kids admire. Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb are on board as Jess and Leslie. Gabor Csupo will make his directorial debut.
The book is both moving and tragic, and I have my doubts about Disney pulling off the big screen venture. Showing a bunch of imaginary CGI ghouls frolicking through the forest could end up being a funny freak show more than anything poignant. The ending, in the wrong hands, could play like the worst kind of shlocky melodrama. Please Disney, don't screw this one up.
