A new film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s old children’s book “Les Sorcières” will first be released on HBO Max on October 22, in time for Halloween.
Academy Award winners Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer star in the film; Hathaway plays the Grand High Witch, leader of a wicked coven, while Spencer plays the high-energy grandmother of the film’s protagonist. “The Witches” is directed by Robert Zemeckis of “Forrest Gump” and “Back to the Future” fame, with Chris Rock serving as narrator.
This “witch” reimagination takes place in South America in 1967, while Dahl’s novel was published in 1983 and takes place in England. The character of Spencer and his grandson (played by Jahzir Bruno) attend a witch convention in an Alabama hotel and in the end they realize the conspiracy of the witches to turn the children into mice.
“The Witches” was originally scheduled for theatrical release, however, the coronavirus pandemic led to Warner Bros. to look for streaming releases for several of his films this year. Warner Bros. also released “Scoob!” to host audiences after canceling an edition of May Theatre and becoming available to HBO Max subscribers in June. “The Witches” will be looking to capitalize on the excitement of Halloween with the holidays just days away and much of the world still practicing social distancing.
To watch “The Witches” when it releases on October 22, you’ll want an HBO Max subscription. The service prices $14. 99 per month and new members can get a free seven-day trial.
HBO Max is an on-demand streaming service that combines HBO’s original series and library of films with a huge catalog of additional movies and shows from sources like DC Comics, Turner Classic Movies, and Adult Swim.
HBO Max was introduced as a replacement for streaming HBO Now and HBO Go. If you already subscribe to HBO through your cable company, there’s a smart chance you can get HBO Max for free. You can see if your existing subscription supports HBO Max here.
The HBO Max application must be had on Android, iPhone, PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast, PC, Mac, Samsung TV and Apple TV. The application has not yet been on the Fire Roku or Amazon transmission devices.
Like all HBO Max content, “The Witches” will be limited to a 1080p HD solution; A spokesperson for the service has said in the past that 4K and HDR streaming will be coming to the app at a later date.
“The Witches” is exclusive to HBO Max in the U. S. , but will premiere on other video-on-demand in the U. K. and Ireland on Oct. 26. Viewers in those countries will be able to buy the film or book it for 48 hours. .
Dahl’s books have touched generations and encouraged a wide diversity of films and other media adaptations. Disney Plus is home to several Dahl adaptations, including “James and the Giant Peach,” “The BFG” and “Fantastic Mr. “Fox. ” The most popular film encouraged by Dahl, “Willy Wonka”
Jim Henson helped produce a British adaptation of “The Witches” in 1990; The film was a good luck for criticism but an advertising failure. Now you can take a look at the 1990 edition of “Les Witches” in Netflix, but knowing that Dahl did not agree with the resolution of filmmakers to modify the original finish of his novel for the screen.
The sources told Variety that the 2020 edition of “The Witches” will remain closer to the history of the book, even if the American civil rights motion is established with black protagonists.
All of these films are also available to buy or rent through digital streaming retailers, like Vudu, FandangoNow, and more.
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