Recasting Matilda If It Was Made Today

The musical film adaption of Matilda won’t hit Netflix until next December, but the announced cast is already full of heavy hitters. Academy Award winner Emma Thompson has been cast as the antagonist, Miss Trunchbull, while Lashana Lynch, most recently seen as Nomi in No Time To Die, will play the beloved teacher, Miss Honey.

This adaption begs the question, who would replace the cast of Danny DeVito’s cherished 1996 film version if it was made today? As Matilda turns 25, the likes of Brooklynn Prince and Kathryn Hahn could fill the shoes of Mara Wilson and Rhea Perlman.

Brooklynn Prince as Matilda Wormwood

Incredibly intelligent and ever curious, Matilda Wormwood is a six-year-old girl who prefers the company of books over the family that neglects her. The well-mannered child discovers she has telekinetic powers when she causes the family television to explode. Matilda uses these abilities to help others, specifically her classmates and Miss Honey, and her bright personality proves nature is stronger than nurture in some instances.

Brooklynn Prince has become a go-to child actor, much like the original Matilda, Mara Wilson. Known for her breakthrough performance in The Florida Project, the talented Prince is precocious enough to bring Matilda to life.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Miss Honey

Miss Jennifer Honey is Matilda’s devoted teacher at Crunchem Hall. A kind woman with a heartbreaking background, she encourages her students to do their best and inspires Matilda to believe in herself as her father and Miss Trunchbull try to extinguish her spark.

Most recently seen as Ravonna Renslayer in Loki, Gugu Mbatha-Raw has started to become a fixture in Hollywood. Her role as Kate Murry in A Wrinkle in Time shows off her maternal side, and the natural warmth present in Mbatha-Raw’s interviews proves she has the key traits needed to portray the kindhearted Miss Honey.

Tracey Ullman as Miss Trunchbull

The sinister Agatha Trunchbull is a child’s nightmare in a dark green suit. As principal of Crunchem Hall, the cruel woman gets a kick out of tormenting her students and passes time by working on her shot put, hammer, or javelin throw—often throwing children for practice. Many of the film’s scariest moments are connected to the evil educator and her hatred of children.

To children, Pam Ferris is positively scary as Miss Trunchbull in the 1996 film. But the character is more outrageous to adults. Tracey Ullman has the comedic and dramatic talents needed to keep the character slightly humorous so she doesn’t become too terrifying.

Jack Black as Harry Wormwood

A crooked car salesman, Harry Wormwood doesn’t seem to know he has a daughter. The grumpy and negligent man spends much of the film as Matilda’s adversary, constantly standing in the way of her quest for more knowledge. His illegal practices cause trouble for Matilda at school and place the family under FBI surveillance.

Played by director Danny DeVito, the used car salesman is sleazy, greedy, and bad-tempered. Much like DeVito, Jack Black has a great reputation in Hollywood, so having him play the horrid Harry Wormwood would go against his usual type and be entertaining to watch.

Kathryn Hahn as Zinnia Wormwood

Much like her husband, Zinnia Wormwood is a terrible parent to her gifted child. The bingo-obsessed mother of two is too concerned with her appearance and ability to flirt with the FBI agents watching the family to give Matilda the attention she deserves.

Kathryn Hahn is having her moment in 2021. Emmy-nominated for WandaVision, she has a role in the upcoming Knives Out sequel and will reprise her role as Agatha Harkness in her own MCU series, Agatha: House of Harkness. Playing the vain and funny Zinnia Wormwood, first brought to life by Rhea Perlman, feels right up her alley.

Archie Yates as Bruce Bogtrotter

Bruce Bogtrotter does not have a lot of screentime, but the good-natured boy has one of the film’s more memorable moments. The scene where Miss Trunchbull punishes him by forcing Bruce to eat an enormous chocolate cake in front of the students of Crunchem Hall is etched into the minds of many millennials that grew up with the film.

Archie Yates, best known for his roles in JoJo Rabbit and as the funny young lead in Home Sweet Home Alone, has started to make a name for himself in Hollywood. He would be an excellent choice for Bruce, and his comedic timing could help him go toe to toe with Tracey Ullman’s Trunchbull.

Mykal-Michelle Harris as Lavender

Lavender becomes Matilda’s first friend when she arrives at Crunchem Hall, with the young girl telling her the ins and outs of the school. A sensitive child, she is sweet and empathetic towards others. Tired of Miss Trunchbull’s horrible treatment of her and her classmates, Lavender shows a moment of bravery by putting a newt in Trunchball’s glass of water.

Mixed-ish breakout star Mykal-Michelle Harris is a scene-stealer known for her sassy attitude. Quick with her jokes, she would be a great choice to have a new take on the usually timid character of Lavender.

Noah Jupe as Michael Wormwood

Unlike his sister, Matilda’s older brother Michael is an ordinary child who is well-liked by his parents. Harry wants Michael to take over the used car business and the two bond over their shared love of TV. Lazy and uninterested, he spends most of his time ignoring or bullying his sister.

A Quiet Place helped child actor Noah Jupe rise through the ranks of Hollywood. He received praise from critics for his performance in 2019’s Honey Boy. At 16, Jupe is at the right age to play the indifferent older brother to the magical Matilda.

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as Bob and Bill

Bill and Bob are the two FBI agents sent to monitor the Wormwood family due to Harry’s illegal dealings. They pose as speedboat salesmen, but Matilda sees through their ruse. Zinnia and Harry don’t believe they’re cops, the former flirting with them whenever she has the chance.

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele became one of the most prominent comedy duos in pop culture thanks to their Comedy Central show, Key & Peele. The series has its fair share of funny quotes and moments that show off the unmatched chemistry between the two stars. This friendship would work well in the roles of the FBI partners Bob and Bill, and the two would work well opposite Jack Black and Kathryn Hahn.

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