After a string of action-packed hits,Liam Neesonis entering thefantasyrealm by providing the voice of a massive creature inFocus Features’A Monster Calls. The studio has released the first trailer for this adaptation ofPatrick Ness' beloved novel, which doesn’t give us a great look at this title character, but we do get to hearLiam Neesonproviding the voice. The studio has also released the first photo, featuring Lewis MacDougall as young Conor.
A Monster Callsis a visually spectacular drama from acclaimed directorJuan Antonio Bayona(The Impossible), based on the award-winning children’s fantasy novel. 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) attempts to deal with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world ofmonstersand fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith. The cast also includes Academy Award nomineesLiam Neeson, who will star in performance-capture and voiceover as the nocturnally visiting monster of the title.
The supporting cast incluesSigourney Weaver, who will portray Conor’s maternal grandmother,Toby Kebbell(Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), as Conor’s father and Geraldine Chaplin who is making her third movie with Mr.Bayona.Juan Antonio Bayonadirects from a script by authorPatrick Ness, who adapted his own novel, which is based on an original idea by the lateSiobhan Dowd. Published in almost 30 languages, the novel has won many prestigious prizes worldwide, including the distinguished Carnegie Medal and, for illustratorJim Kay, the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Belén Atienza is producing, marking her third collaboaration withBayona, followingThe Impossibleand his directorial debut,The Orphanage. Executive producers include Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, along with River Road’s Bill Pohlad and Mitch Horwits. Production onA Monster Callsgot under way last September, with principal photography taking place in Spain and England.
A Monster Callsis set for release on June 30, 2025, which puts it up against Sony Pictures’Inferno, the thirdRobert Langdonadventure starringTom Hanks, and Universal’s stand up comedy concert filmKevin Hart: What Now?Coincidentally,Felicity Jonesalso stars inInferno, meaning she will have two of her projects in direct competition with one another on the same weekend. While we wait for more details onA Monster Calls, take a look at the first trailer and photo.
