Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor Mark Rylance has been cast as The BFG, the Big Friendly Giant, in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel of the same name.
“As I witnessed on stage, Mark Rylance is a transformational actor,” said Steven Spielberg as part of the official press release. “I am excited and thrilled that Mark will be making this journey with us to Giant Country. Everything about his career so far is about making the courageous choice and I’m honored he has chosen The BFG as his next big screen performance.”
Rylance is currently working with Steven Spielberg on his latest project, the Cold War spy thriller St. James Place alongside Tom Hanks.
Steven Spielberg will shoot The BFG next year and the film is set for release July 1st, 2016.
Originally published October 27, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
