The Magic School Bus is getting the live-action treatment. Legendary Entertainment has acquired the rights from Universal Pictures and is moving forward with a feature film adaptation. Rob Letterman, known for Pokémon: Detective Pikachu and Goosebumps, will write the treatment and direct. Elizabeth Banks is set to star as the iconic Ms. Frizzle and will also produce through her Brownstone Productions banner.
"Please let this be a normal field trip."
"With the Frizz? No way!"
Production Details
The film is being developed in partnership with Scholastic Entertainment. A robust lineup of production entities is attached, including:
- Brownstone Productions (Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman, Alison Small)
- Marc Platt Productions (Marc Platt, Adam Siegel)
- Legendary Entertainment (Mary Parent, Ali Mendes, Cale Boyter)
- Scholastic Entertainment (Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman)
The project first originated at Universal Pictures, which optioned the property in June 2020 and announced a live-action/animated hybrid version starring Banks. When those rights expired, Legendary secured the project.
Source Material
The film is based on the beloved children's book series created by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen. The series launched in 1986 and concluded in 2021, selling over 90 million copies worldwide. It follows the eccentric science teacher Ms. Valerie Frizzle and her students as they board a sentient, shape-shifting school bus for impossibly educational field trips—from the inside of the human body to the surface of Pluto.
Previous Adaptations
The franchise has a rich history on screen:
- Animated TV series (1994–1997) on PBS, with Lily Tomlin as Ms. Frizzle
- Netflix series, The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017–2021), starring Kate McKinnon as Ms. Fiona Felicity Frizzle, with Tomlin reprising her role
- A touring stage musical
- Multiple video game adaptations
Creative Team Background
Rob Letterman brings deep family-film experience, having directed Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019), Goosebumps (2015), Shark Tale (2004), and the live-action Casper (1995). He previously worked with Legendary on Detective Pikachu and with Scholastic on the Goosebumps film.
Elizabeth Banks recently starred in the Peacock series The Miniature Wife and the 2024 film DreamQuil. She is also developing projects for Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
Related Projects
The Magic School Bus book series celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. Meanwhile, Legendary has a packed slate of upcoming projects, including a Magic: The Gathering adaptation, a Street Fighter film, a live-action Gundam movie, Dune: Part Three, Animal Friends, and Digger.
Plot Status
Specific plot details for the adaptation have not been confirmed—but if history is any guide, expect seatbelts, a trip into the unknown, and at least one dramatic wardrobe change.