The Magician's Elephant is a 2023 American fantasy drama film directed by Paul King and written by King, Simon Farnaby, and Steve Conrad. The film stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser, Josh Gad, and Eva Green. The film is based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo.
The film follows a young boy named Peter Hatcher who is searching for his missing father. He meets a mysterious magician who gives him a magic elephant that can grant him any wish. Peter uses his wish to bring his father home, but he soon realizes that there is a price to be paid for magic.
The film was released in the United States on March 10, 2023, by 20th Century Studios. It received positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances, direction, and screenplay. The film was a box office success, grossing over $100 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million.
Plot:
Peter Hatcher (Charlie Plummer) is a young boy who lives in a small town in the 19th century. His father, Thomas (Colin Farrell), has been missing for years, and Peter is desperate to find him. One day, Peter meets a mysterious magician (Brendan Fraser) who gives him a magic elephant. The elephant, named Ellie, can grant Peter any wish.
Peter uses his first wish to bring his father home. Thomas is overjoyed to be reunited with his son, but Peter soon realizes that there is a price to be paid for magic. Ellie's magic is slowly draining Peter's life force, and he must find a way to break the curse before it's too late.
Cast:
- Charlie Plummer as Peter Hatcher
- Colin Farrell as Thomas Hatcher
- Brendan Fraser as the Magician
- Josh Gad as the Mayor
- Eva Green as the Witch
Reception:
The Magician's Elephant received positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 92% approval rating based on 100 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Magician's Elephant is a heartwarming and magical film that will appeal to audiences of all ages." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Box office:
The Magician's Elephant was released in the United States on March 10, 2023, by 20th Century Studios. It grossed $100 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million.
Sequel:
There is currently no sequel to The Magician's Elephant in development.
