First Look: Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie in Biopic About the Winnie the Pooh Author

Domhnall Gleason and Margot Robbie (Photo: Fox Searchlight)

By Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter

A film about the man behind Winnie the Pooh is gathering steam.

Fox Searchlight’s as-yet-untitled A.A. Milne biopic has begun principal photography in the U.K., with a host of casting additions joining leads Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie and Kelly Macdonald. Additional names include Stephen Campbell Moore, Alex Lawther, Richard McCabe, Nico Mirallegro, Geraldine Somerville and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, while Will Tilston will play the young Christopher Robin.

Simon Curtin (Woman in Gold, My Week with Marilyn) is directing from a script by Frank Cottrell Boye (Railway Man) based on a script by Simon Vaughan (War and Peace). Vaughan serves as exec producer.

In a first-look image revealed Thursday, Gleeson is seen as the beloved author Milne — who would take inspiration from his son’s toys to create Winnie the Pooh — alongside his wife and Robin’s mother Daphne, played by Robbie. The film will focus on the family as they are swept up in the international success of the books, which bring hope and comfort to England in the wake of WWI.

Damian Jones, behind U.K. hits Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, The Lady in the Van and Dad’s Army, is producing together with Steve Christian (Belle).

“I’m thrilled to finally see this fascinating story be realized with such an array of fresh and exciting talent in front of and behind the camera as well as continuing my ongoing collaboration with Fox Searchlight,” said Jones.

Related: Domhnall Gleeson in Talks to Play Winnie the Pooh Creator A.A. Milne