The NeverEnding Story Remake: Everything We Know So Far

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The 1984 film adaptation of “The NeverEnding Story,” based on German author Michael Ende’s novel, left an indelible mark on popular culture, leading to ongoing speculation about a remake. In this fantasy tale, director Wolfgang Petersen weaves together the stories of Bastian Balthazar Bux (played by Barret Oliver in the real world) and Atreyu (Noah Hathaway in the magical realm). The narrative unfolds as Bastian discovers a mysterious book in an old bookstore and retreats to a hidden attic to read it, whereupon he is transported into the enchanting land of Fantasia. This realm, on the brink of destruction by the formidable force known as The Nothing, desperately needs a hero to save it.

Discussions about remaking the film have been ongoing since at least 2009, when Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way, attempted to launch one. However, these attempts didn’t bear fruit and by 2011, reports indicated that obtaining the rights to Ende’s book had proven too challenging. The remake was stalled for over a decade due to legal complications, but in 2022, a fierce competition among Hollywood studios for the movie rights to the cherished fantasy series reignited interest. In March 2024, it was finally confirmed that Michael Ende Productions had reached an agreement with See-Saw Films to create a fresh live-action adaptation of the late author’s iconic book. Here are the latest updates on the project.

The remake will follow the book more faithfully

Initially, when news about this project surfaced, creators were quick to clarify that it wouldn’t be a replica of the 1984 movie, but a truer representation of Michael Ende’s initial novel. Notably, Wolfgang Petersen’s “The NeverEnding Story” deviated from the book in numerous aspects, which reportedly frustrated Ende to the extent that he openly criticized the film and preferred his name not be associated with it. During a German press conference (as reported by People), he famously referred to the movie as “that distasteful production,” stating, “The filmmakers failed to grasp the essence of the book entirely. They were merely interested in making profits.

Michael Ende expressed significant dissatisfaction with the 1984 film adaptation of his book, “The NeverEnding Story,” as it strayed too far from his original narrative. The movie primarily focused on the first half of the book and significantly altered key plot points. Notably, the sequels “The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter” (1990) and “The NeverEnding Story III” (1994) were based on different parts of the novel, while the latter was an entirely original story. At one point, Ende even tried to take legal action to have certain scenes removed from the film. This negative response may have made it challenging for subsequent parties to obtain the rights to the book following Ende’s death in 1995.

According to Iain Canning from See-Saw, sticking closely to the original novel will be crucial for the reboot. He explained to Variety that the story is not only relevant now but also enduring, offering a chance for a modern retelling. He added that one of the book’s unique aspects is its ability to resonate differently at various stages in a reader’s life, providing new insights each time. Thus, it’s exciting to have the chance to present a fresh take that will uncover additional layers and meanings.

It’s expected to be a multi-film franchise

Enthusiasts of both the book and the initial film version of “The NeverEnding Story” should get excited, as Michael Ende Productions and See-Saw Films are planning to create multiple movies based on the story. However, the success of the initial remake will determine whether more films will be made. The ultimate goal is to establish a new, expansive film franchise. Unlike the two sequels from the 1990s, which were often viewed as attempts to cash in, modern cinema focuses on intellectual properties that can be developed into numerous movies over many years. These upcoming films will premiere in theaters, though there was previously some possibility that the remake might air on a streaming platform instead – several platforms expressed interest when the rights for “The NeverEnding Story” became available.

Ralph Gassmann from Michael Ende Productions shared with Variety that they’ve been inundated by interest from the television and movie industry over the past few years. He explained, “We scrutinized countless proposals, seeking a captivating prospective collaborator who would inspire us to embark on this exciting journey together. We knew we needed to make the right choice and luckily, See-Saw was one of them.” With great anticipation, See-Saw is venturing into uncharted waters with this project, as it has not previously taken on a task of such magnitude. However, the company does have a track record in adapting books for the screen, having worked on notable projects like “The Power of the Dog,” “Heartstopper,” and “Slow Horses.

No actors have been announced and there’s no release date yet

For more than a year now, there’s been talk about a new “The NeverEnding Story” movie, but no official release date or cast members have been confirmed. Still, fans can’t help but imagine who might be chosen for the remake. As soon as the news came out, names like Morgan Freeman and Christopher Walken were proposed for Falkor’s voice. For the main characters of the film, Wesley Kimmel, known for his roles in “The Mandalorian” and “Red One,” has been mentioned for Atreyu, while Alisha Weir, who played Matilda in the musical adaptation and Abigail in a horror comedy, is being considered for the Childlike Empress.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt has been proposed for the role of the Childlike Empress, but she may be too mature for the part at present due to her striking similarity to Tami Stronach, who originally portrayed the character in the 1984 film. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, Stronach expressed her thoughts on the forthcoming remake. “There was a fierce competition among studios both domestically and internationally. I never thought it would come to fruition,” she said. “I often converse with people who adore ‘The NeverEnding Story,’ who believe that it shouldn’t be altered, that it’s sacrilege. However, I disagree. The essence of the story lies in fostering creativity and maintaining the childlike wonder within us all. Adapting tales seems like a logical progression of this philosophy.

Regrettably, some cast members from the initial movie are no longer with us today. Here’s a list of actors from “The NeverEnding Story” who you might not be aware have sadly passed away.

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2025-07-19 23:30