Like many of you, THE PRINCESS BRIDE was very important in my household. My Mom introduced me to it, and everything that I love about everything is in that film.
It’s been 26 years since the original release and thankfully there’s been no remake or attempt at any sort of sequel. It seems the closest that we will get to a revival of THE PRINCESS BRIDE is a stage show.
Disney Theatrical Productions will collaborate with writer and creator William Goldman on bringing this wonderful tale to the stage. Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn who was involved with the film version turning his time at Castle Rock shepherded the deal.
Horn said this about the project: “My involvement in The Princess Bride goes back to 1987 and it has always been close to my heart. For all those years and a few more, I’ve been friends with the brilliant Bill Goldman, and to now have a stage production of this film in development at Disney is honestly a dream come true. It couldn’t be in better hands than those of the experienced Disney Theatrical team led by Tom Schumacher.”
There is no word on when work on when production will begin, or if it will be a musical or a play.
For those who have never seen it (I would be shocked), here’s a synopsis:
“Framed as a story told by a kindly old man to his ailing grandson, it spins a comic tale of love and adventure about Buttercup, a young beauty reluctantly engaged to the kingdom of Florin’s evil prince but kidnapped on the eve of their wedding. She is ultimately rescued by her farmboy sweetheart Westley, aided by a giant and a Spanish master swordsman.”
Several years ago, there was talk of bringing PRINCESS BRIDE to the stage with Goldman and Adam Guettel but this never came to fruition due to a financial dispute. Nothing from that version will be used in the one Disney plans to develop.
I leave you with an excerpt from the live reading that Jason Reitman put together. Sadly only two clips exist from this. Here Goran Vijnic is reading the legendary “You Killed My Father, Prepare to Die” scene as Inigo Montoya: