“The Magic School Bus” is set to make its big-screen debut as Legendary Entertainment and Scholastic Entertainment team up to bring the beloved children’s book series to life in a live-action feature film. Elizabeth Banks will portray the quirky and adventurous Ms. Frizzle in the film, not only as an actress but also as a producer alongside Rob Letterman, who will direct and write the movie’s treatment.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, “The Magic School Bus” has sold over 90 million books worldwide. Created by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, the series follows the magical adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her students aboard a shape-shifting school bus on extraordinary field trips that make science exciting. The franchise’s popularity has soared since its debut in 1986, expanding to television and digital platforms.
The most notable screen adaptation was the animated series on PBS, which aired from 1994 to 1997 and featured Lily Tomlin as Ms. Frizzle. Netflix also tried to capture the magic with “The Magic School Bus Rides Again,” starring Tomlin and Kate McKinnon. Now, Elizabeth Banks is set to bring Ms. Frizzle back to life in the upcoming live-action film adaptation after the project moved to Legendary Entertainment.