Walt Disney Pictures has begun production on their original film "Flora & Ulysses". The Lena Khan directed film is based on the Newberry Award-winning children's book, "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo.
The film is being produced for Disney's upcoming streaming service, Disney+, which will launch on November 12 in the U.S. It tells the story of 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, who saves a squirrel she names Ulysses only to have its unique superhero powers wreak havoc in a series of humorous, antic-filled adventures that ultimately change Flora's life-and her outlook-forever.
Flora will be played by big-screen newcomer Matilda Lawler. She currently stars on Broadway in "The Ferryman". Alyson Hannigan ("How I Met Your Mother," "American Pie") plays Flora's romance-writer mother, Phyllis, and Ben Schwartz ("Parks and Recreation," "Modern Family") plays the role of her world-weary, estranged father, George. Newcomer Benjamin Evans Ainsworth plays the role of William, Flora's newfound, but annoying, friend, and Danny Pudi ("Community," "The Tiger Hunter") joins the cast as Miller, an overly zealous animal control officer.
The film crew includes director of photography Andrew Dunn ("Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Crazy, Stupid, Love."); production designer Michael Fitzgerald ("Medal of Honor," "The Tiger Hunter"); editor Lee Haxall ("Always Be My Maybe"); and costume designer Mona May ("Santa Clarita Diet," "Enchanted").