Danny DeVito and Mara Wilson intend to reunite for “Matilda in Concert” after SAG-AFTRA strike ends
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
It turns out that Matilda can't deny her Wormwood roots forever.
EW has confirmed that Danny DeVito and Mara Wilson intend to reunite onstage for Matilda in Concert as narrators of a film screening with a live orchestra performance.
DeVito, who directed and starred in the 1996 adaptation of the Roald Dahl children's book, revealed the Matilda reunion plans during a recent conversation with The Messenger. He explained that the duo were originally set to share the stage in September, with composer David Newman playing his score.
"Mara and I were planning to perform Matilda live with the New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra just before the strike hit," DeVito said, referencing the SAG-AFTRA strike that began in mid-July. "We had it all set, but, after the strike hit, we couldn't proceed because it would be seen as a promotion for a movie. However, we're still planning to do that."
Randy Shropshire/Getty; JUAN PABLO RICO/AFP via Getty Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito
He continued, "We're going to watch the movie with David Newman's score and try to do it sometime soon, as it seems the strike may be coming to an end — I hope!"
Reps for Wilson did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.
Just like the novel, the beloved family film tells the story of 6-year-old genius Matilda Wormwood (Wilson) who is neglected by her parents (DeVito and his real-life wife Rhea Perlman) and mistreated by her cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). She luckily uncovers a connection with her kind teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) and, of course, a knack for telekinesis.
Mary Evans/JERSEY FILMS / TRISTAR PICTURES/Ronald Grant/Everett Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito in 'Matilda'
While Wilson has been critical of her child star experience and has spoken candidly about the "lasting damage" of working in Hollywood at such a young age, she speaks highly of her time working with DeVito. In a 2013 interview with EW, she reflected on the "instant connection" she felt with the actor/director while auditioning for the role.
"He told me later, 'I knew I wanted you for Matilda from the moment you walked in,'" Wilson recalled. "I don't know if he's just being nice, but I do definitely feel like there was a rapport there from the beginning… Rhea [Perlman] and Danny, they felt like an aunt and uncle [to me]. They felt familial by the end."
DeVito is currently performing on Broadway alongside his daughter Lucy in a limited run of Theresa Rebeck's new play I Need That.
Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.
Related content:
