New images for Netflix's The School For Good And Evil reveal a first look at Laurence Fishburne's character. The new dark fantasy film is an adaptation of Soman Chainani's 2013 novel of the same name, the first in a seven-book series which ended in 2020. In the novel, children are sent to an "enchanted institution" in which they are trained to become Evers (fairytale heroes) or Nevers (villains). The School For Good And Evil centers on Sophie and Agatha, two girls from the same village who find themselves on unexpected and opposite paths when they arrive at the School and must adjust to their new roles.
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The film will be directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor, Ghostbusters) and star Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie as Sophie and Agatha, respectively. The rest of the star-studded cast includes Charlize Theron as Lady Lesso (the Dean of Evil), Kerry Washington as Professor Clarissa Dovey (the Dean of Good and Lady Lesso's best friend), Michelle Yeoh as Professor Emma Anemone, and Laurence Fishburne as The School Master. Ben Kingsley, Rob Delaney, Cate Blanchett, and Rachel Bloom were also announced as part of the impressive line-up. Previously, a brief teaser for The School For Good And Evil offered an intriguing look at Theron, Washington, Caruso, and Wylie in their roles while teasing a big-budget magical epic with nods to its literary roots.
Now, Netflix has unveiled some new images of the dark fantasy film in an EW exclusive, revealing Fishburne's character's look as well as offering glimpses at other characters in the film, such as Yeoh's Professor Anemone. The photos tease an immersive production. See the images below:
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These images make it clear that Feig is going all-in on his adaptation of the expansive world of the novels, transforming the enviable cast so they perfectly fit the series' fantastical universe. Fishburne's appearance as well as Theron's and Washington's perfectly capture the spirit and personality of their book characters despite having updated looks. The photos tease a sweet friendship between Sophie and Agatha before they are taken and forced to go their separate ways, which will go a long way in drawing viewers into the story. If done right, The School For Good and Evil will deliver the mystical dark academia film that fans of the novel have been hoping for, and with six more books to pull material from, could mark to beginning of a successful franchise of YA fantasy films for Netflix.
The foray into fantasy universes is marking a new era in the streaming wars, with each service banking on a reboot, adaptation, or spinoff of a popular fantasy IP in the hopes of creating the next Game of Thrones. So far, HBO's House of the Dragon and Amazon Prime's The Rings of Power have earned impressive viewing numbers. By comparison, Netflix's The Witcher and Shadow and Bone, have garnered less success, though recent series The Sandman has earned plenty of acclaim. The move into a fantasy film franchise with The School For Good And Evil would put Netflix ahead of the game in terms of recent releases, perhaps creating another Harry Potter or Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings trilogy-level hit for modern audiences. The film is set for release later this year, and audiences will finally be able to dive into an all-new fantasy universe.