If proof were needed that we are officially living in the age of Kate McKinnon, it has arrived in the shape of a leading role in the upcoming Amblin film, The Lunch Witch. After a string of outstanding supporting roles in movies such as Sisters, Ghostbusters, Finding Dory, and Office Christmas Party – along with her Emmy Award-winning performances on Saturday Night Live – McKinnon will play the titular character in an adaptation of the popular children’s graphic novel.
Written by Deb Lucke and published in 2015, The Lunch Witch is the story of a witch named Grunhilda, and a young girl named Madison, who get to know one another over the school lunch counter – as detailed on goodreads.
“For generations and generations, the women of Grunhilda’s family have stirred up trouble in a big, black pot. Grunhilda inherits her famous ancestors’ recipes and cauldron, but no one believes in magic anymore. Despite the fact that Grunhilda’s only useful skill is cooking up potfuls of foul brew, she finds a job listing that might suit her: lunch lady. She delights in scaring the kids until she meets a timid little girl named Madison with a big set of glasses who becomes an unlikely friend. Madison needs help at school and at home, but helping people goes against everything Grunhilda believes in as a witch! Will this girl be able to thaw the Lunch Witch’s icy heart? Or will Grunhilda turn her back on a kindred spirit?”
This announcement will be cause for celebration for fans of Kate McKinnon’s unique brand of comedy, while fans of The Lunch Witch will likely be heartened by the involvement of Amblin, which is renowned for delivering to the big screen high quality family fare – from 1982’s E.T: The Extraterrestrial to 2016’s The BFG.
The Lunch Witch will also see the live-action directorial debut of Clay Kaytis – who previously co-directed The Angry Birds Movie – so with credentials such as these, we can expect to hear many more casting announcements very soon.