Newcomer Mae Schenk is readying to check into the Plaza hotel.
She’ll star in the live action “Eloise” film, based on the beloved children’s book about a mischievous young girl who lives on the “tippy-top floor” of the iconic New York City landmark. Schenk will spar onscreen with Ryan Reynolds, who is playing an “original villainous character” in the movie, according to Netflix.
Netflix just landed rights to the family film, which has been in development since 2020. Though the logline hasn’t been revealed, the streaming giant has described the movie as a “wholly original adventure” based on the book series written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight.
Amy Sherman-Palladino, best known for “Gilmore Girls” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” is directing and writing the “Eloise” film, with Hannah Marks and Linda Woolverton co-writing the screenplay.
“Eloise has been beloved for generations, from when she was first published in the 1950s through to today, when no family trip to New York City is complete without a stop at The Plaza,” said Hannah Minghella, Netflix’s head of feature animation and family film. “It’s an honor to reintroduce this cherished character to the world with two people who share her signature mischief and charm—Amy Sherman-Palladino and Ryan Reynolds—in this bold, hilarious, and heartfelt new family film.”
Eloise has been the subject of made-for-television movies, including “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime” for Walt Disney TV in 2003. An animated TV series called “Me, Eloise!” ran on the Starz Kids and Family Network in 2006.
MRC acquired the rights to “Eloise” in 2019 and will oversee production of the movie. Handmade Films will work with MRC on production, which is set to start in November. MRC is also collaborating with the Thompson estate, illustrator Knight, as well as book publisher Simon & Schuster on the film.
“We’ve been working with the Thompson Estate and Handmade Films for a long time to bring Eloise to fans everywhere,” said MRC Film co-presidents Jonathan Golfman and Brye Adler. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Maximum Effort, Amy and Netflix to bring the cherished children’s property to audiences around the world.”
Reynolds and his company Maximum Effort will also produce with George Dewey, Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau for Maximum Effort, as well as Linda Woolverton. Molly Milstein of Maximum Effort will executive produce.
“When Amy introduced us to Mae Schenk, we knew instantly she was Eloise,” said Maximum Effort’s co-presidents of production Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau. “She’s got the spark, the wit, and just the right amount of mischief. We’re so excited to introduce her to the world with our friends at MRC and Netflix.”