John Cleese is a 'Twit'

'The Twits' are coming to a cinema near you, and not only is John Cleese scripting the film, but the comedy genius may even star.

Nov 22 2004

As if Tim Burton's forthcoming take on 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' wasn't enough, it looks like another Roald Dahl classic will be winging its unpleasant way to the big screen sometime soon.

'The Twits', one of Dahl's most unsavoury literary efforts, should soon be perverting young minds in cinemas up and down the country courtesy of John Cleese, who has co-written a script based on the story and looks all set to star.

Variety has announced that Mark Mylod ( 'Ali G Indahouse' TV's 'Shameless'), is attached to direct the film, which is also rumoured to combine live action and animation.

As for the story, 'The Twits' tells the tale of the dastardly Mr and Mrs Twit, a quarrelling couple who while away their days playing evil and elaborate tricks on each other, involving everything from glass eyes to bird pies and a bunch of trained monkeys.

'Shrek' producer John Williams is developing the film at Disney, and it's thought that Cleese himself will play one of the titular Twits.

Elsewhere it looks like Dahl's dark, disturbing and hugely entertaining stories will be impossible to ignore in the upcoming months.

First up is Wes Anderson and Henry Selick's forthcoming stop-motion adaptation of 'Fantastic Mr Fox'. Selick himself previously directed the Dahl-penned 'James and the Giant Peach' in 1996, and having worked with Anderson on underwater scenes for 'The Life Aquatic', the pair look set to continue their partnership with this tale of a clever fox taking on three beastly farmers.

At the same time Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are looking to move ahead with their long-mooted version of 'The BFG'. Ed Solomon ('Men in Black', 'Charlie's Angels') has been drafted in to work on the script, although there's no word yet as to who will play the 'Big Friendly Giant' in question (Richard Kiel anyone?).

Of course, should the Johnny Depp-starring 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' fail at the box office, all such adaptations will probably be lost in development hell, but if it hits big, expect further Dahl projects to be announced in the next few months - and maybe even a three-picture deal for that woman from the 'Tales Of The Unexpected' credits.