Over the weekend, Disney's D23 Expo gave us our first glimpse at the upcoming adaptation of the Madeleine L’Engle classic novel, A Wrinkle in Time. The time traveling adventure is being brought to life by visionary director Ava DuVernay, who directed the award-winning film Selma (2014).
Director Ava DuVerney on set with with actress Storm Reid (who plays Meg Murry).
- Photo Credit: ATSUSHI NISHIJIMA/DISNEY
The film boasts an all-star cast, with Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling playing the eccentric (and impeccably bedazzled) time travel guides. Fronting the planet-hopping, time-bending action is newcomer Storm Reid as Wrinkle’s kick-butt heroine, Meg Murry. Additionally, Chris Pine and Gugu Mbatha-Raw play Meg’s scientist parents.
The trailer is visually stunning with its colors and explosions (particularly Reese Witherspoon's brilliant red hair), all while Mrs. Which (played by Oprah Winfrey) explains in a voiceover that Meg is the key to the world’s salvation. Meg, along with her brother Charles Wallace Murry and friend Calvin O'Keefe, must travel through time and space to not only rescue Meg’s father, but to save mankind from the darkness consuming the universe.
“You will be tested every step of the way,” Mrs. Which warns. “Trust nothing.” Flash to Calvin in free fall, a magical kingdom in the clouds, and an eerie Stepford-esque neighborhood set to a haunting cover of “Sweet Dreams.” In short, we’ll be on the edge of our seat throughout the entire movie.
Oprah Winfrey as Mrs. Which.
- Photo Credit: ATSUSHI NISHIJIMA/DISNEY
Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit.
- Photo Credit: ATSUSHI NISHIJIMA/DISNEY
Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Who.
- Photo Credit: ATSUSHI NISHIJIMA/DISNEY
If A Wrinkle in Time passed you by as a kid, we’ll catch you up to speed. The story follows Meg Murry, a young girl whose father, a revered physicist, has been abducted by an evil force, “The Black Thing.” To find him, Meg enlists the help of her kid-genius brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin, as well as the advice of three magical beings. First, there’s Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), who mostly speaks in quotes while sporting some seriously awesome specs. Then there’s the light-hearted Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), followed by the incomparably wise "W" frontwoman, Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey). The three immortals guide the children through using a “tesseract,” a phenomenon that allows you to “wrinkle” time—and hopefully save Meg’s father.
Luckily, you have some time to catch up before the film hits the big screen. A Wrinkle in Time is set to release in the United States on March 9, 2018. In the meantime, we’ll be rereading the book—and searching for our own Mrs. W-worthy outfit.
If you're looking for more books by Madeleine L'Engle, check out these reads.
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Featured photo: Atsushi Nishijima / Disney
