According to THR, Universal Pictures has won a bidding war for the rights to Robert Munsch’s children’s book The Paper Bag Princess, tapping Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) to direct a big screen adaptation, as well as producing alongside Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad).
The 1980 bestseller revolves around “princess all set to marry her perfect Prince Charming when a dragon attacks the kingdom, kidnaps the prince and burns the castle. With no clothes left to wear, the princess dons a paper bag and sets out to vanquish the dragon. When she saves the prince, he ungratefully admonishes her for not looking like a princess. The girl then call him a ‘bum,’ ditches him and dances into the sunset alone.”
Katie Silberman (Isn’t It Romantic) is attached to pen the script for the adaptation, while the plan is for Robbie to star in the film, screenplay and schedule depending.
Banks is currently attached to direct a big screen reboot of Charlie’s Angels, and also has the TV shows Step Strangers and Spirited in the works at Fox and ABC respectively. Robbie meanwhile will next be seen in I, Tonya [read our review here] and is due to reprise the role of Harley Quinn next year for Suicide Squad 2.
Originally published November 2, 2017. Updated April 13, 2018.
