How to Eat Fried Worms Begins Production in Texas
Bob Dolman directs and writes screenplay for adaptation of Thomas Rockwell classic. Luke Benward, Hallie Kate Eisenberg topline young castAugust 1, 2005
AUSTIN - How To Eat Fried Worms, a feature film adaptation of Thomas Rockwell's hugely popular young adult book, began principal photography on location in Texas on July 25, it was jointly announced by Toby Emmerich, New Line Cinema's President of Production and Walden Media CEO Cary Granat. The project is a co-venture between New Line Cinema (the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, Elf, Monster-In-Law) and Walden Media (Holes, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Because of Winn-Dixie). New Line Cinema will distribute the film in 2006.
Bob Dolman (The Banger Sisters) directs and is adapting the screenplay from Rockwell's book. Dolman's writing credits include Far and Away, Willow, and the upcoming Peaceful Warrior. Mark Johnson (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Notebook, The Alamo, The Rookie, Rain Man) and Philip Steuer (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Alamo, The Rookie) produce.
How to Eat Fried Worms tells the story of Billy, an eleven-year-old who inadvertently challenges the town bully on his first day at a new school. To save face and earn the respect of his new classmates, Billy agrees to a bet that will determine his fate at the school—whether or not he can eat ten worms in one day. As the pressure mounts, he must summon heroic strength to keep his five-year-old brother from blabbing, his weak stomach from betraying him, and his big mouth from getting him into more trouble than he's already in.
"I was drawn to the story because it felt like a war story in which there weren't really any of the dangers of war," says director/writer Bob Dolman. "But there are all the emotions that go with being in a battle: fear, doubt, wondering if you're going to survive, questions of integrity, fighting fairly, and standing up for what you believe in. Also, behind the dare is Billy's own bravado. He comes to discover that he's really got to rise to the occasion and back up his own beliefs with actions."
The story weaves multiple themes about acceptance, forgiveness and not judging by first impressions into a tale involving the culinary delights of earthworms. But for Dolman, courage and joy are the ideas that stand out above the others.
The director chose to amplify the theme of courage in the movie. "This boy comes to school and he gets involved with these other boys on a bet and in order to follow through on it, he has to be brave," explains Dolman. "Behind any bet, there is a question of whether or not you can meet the challenge, so that does suggest an act of courage."
"Secondly, what's been emerging from the performances of the cast is something that I'm even more excited about, and that is the idea that laughter and joy and fun can overpower mean-spiritedness, crabbiness, and even cruelty," adds Dolman. "I think the natural state of children, and maybe children and adults both, is one of happiness, friendliness, love, getting along—and when it is oppressed, things go haywire. When it is allowed to be free and flourish, it runs it's own wonderful course. And that's what the story is about. It's a very forgiving story."
Luke Benward (Because of Winn-Dixie, We Were Soldiers) stars as Billy, the new kid in the 5th grade overwhelmed by every aspect of his new life. Ty Panitz (Yours Mine & Ours) is featured as Woody, Billy's annoyingly perfect and naturally popular little brother who adapts to their move with great ease, becoming the center of attention at his kindergarten in just one day.
How To Eat Fried Worms also stars Hallie Kate Eisenberg (Bicentennial Man, The Insider, TNT's The Goodbye Girl) as Erika, an early bloomer who towers over her classmates in an awkward fashion, and offers Billy friendship and advice that he's not sure he wants.
Adam Hicks (Disney's upcoming The Shaggy Dog, Down and Derby, TV'S Titus) is featured as Joe Guire, the school bully whose confident demeanor and mean spirit intimidates his entire circle of friends and enemies. He uses the myth of his 'death ring' to keep fear in the hearts of the whole 5th grade.
Joe's posse includes: Alexander Gould (voice of Nemo in Finding Nemo) playing the high-strung boy nicknamed Twitch; and Houston-native Andrew Gillingham making his feature film debut as Techno Mouth, aptly nicknamed due to the elaborate braces on his teeth. Despite being told not to, both instinctually want to make friends with Billy... and eventually learn the importance of standing up to Joe and letting their natural joy shine through.
The Puke Watchers of Joe's group include: Philip Daniel Bolden (Are We There Yet, Johnson Family Vacation, Little Nicky) as the multiple-watch wearing Bradley, who performs his duties as the Official Time Keeper of the bet with soldier-like diligence; and Oklahoma City-native Blake Garrett (Little Flower, national tour and video of "Barney's Colorful World") as the untidy and thick-headed Plug.
Other friends of Joe include: Alexander Agate (Half-Life) as apprehensive Donny Pickett - the "Brain" of Joe's outfit, charged with researching all the details of worm life; and Ryan Malgarini (Freaky Friday) as the mocking Benjy, Joe's right-hand-man eager for his approval, who also serves the Official Worm Cooker and gives newly created recipes unique names like Radioactive Slime Delight, The Barfmallow, and The Super Charged Sugar Blaster.
Tampa, Florida-based Austin Rogers (the upcoming Blind Guy, TV's Curb Your Enthusiasm) is the nervous and morose loner Adam Simms, who Joe assigns to "Billy's team." Adam's odd habits include smelling his fingers and stating the obviously disgusting in his misguided attempts to be helpful to Billy's quest.
James Rebhorn is featured as Principal "Boiler Head" Burdock. Clint Howard makes a cameo appearance as the cantankerous short order cook, Uncle Ed. Additional casting announcements are forthcoming.
Director Bob Dolman has assembled a talented team behind the camera, including cinematographer Richard Rutkowski (Inconsolable), production designer Caty Maxey (TV's The Guardian, art director The Banger Sisters), costume designer Kathy Kiatta (The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada) and film editor Janice Hampton (Ice Princess).
How To Eat Fried Worms plans to film in multiple locations in and around Austin, TX including the Travis Heights neighborhood and Stacy Park, Zilker Elementary School, Onion Creek Country Club, the Blue Hole swimming hole and Austin Studios. Production will conclude in mid-September, with New Line Cinema and Walden Media planning a 2006 release for the film.
The film is based on the Thomas Rockwell book, How To Eat Fried Worms, which has been a perennial seller since its publication in 1973, amassing nearly 3 million copies sold worldwide. Rockwell has penned numerous books for young readers and has received The Mark Twain Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Sequoyah Award for How To Eat Fried Worms.
How To Eat Fried Worms marks the second collaboration between New Line Cinema and Walden Media. Hoot, a film adaptation of Carl Hiaasen's popular children's book, began shooting in Florida this summer. The project also marks the reteaming of Walden Media with producers Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer. Both were producers on the highly anticipated The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which opens December 9, 2005.
