Amazon MGM Studios Planning New ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ Movie

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1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.

Preview:

A new version of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is in the works.
Amazon/MGM and Eon Productions are developing the movie.
No writer or director is attached yet.

When you hear the name Ian Fleming, chances are the first thing your mind pictures is the superspy James Bond, in whatever incarnation is your favorite. Are you a Sean Connery fan? A Daniel Craig enthusiast? Or do you fly the Timothy Dalton flag in face of surprise and resistance?

But there is another creation for which Fleming gets credit, one a little more family friendly than the gun-toting, sex-happy espionage expert: ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.’

“The most fantasmagorical musical entertainment in the history of everything!”

G2 hr 24 minDec 18th, 1968

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It was adapted into a successful kids’ film (more on that shortly) and now Amazon MGM Studios –– which has an existing relationship with Barbara Broccoli’s Eon Productions, which shepherds the Bond movies –– is looking to make a new version.

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A remake of the cult film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in early development. Read the Plot

What’s the story of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’?

(L to R) Sally Ann Howes and Dick Van Dyke in 1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.

“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car” was written by Fleming in the mid-1960s, and adapted into a screenplay by Roald Dahl, Ken Hughes with Richard Maibaum.

In 1968, the film, directed by Ken Hughes and produced by Bond powerhouse Cubby Broccoli, was released in cinemas starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Gert Fröbe and Robert Helpmann.

The story follows Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, his two children, and his lady friend, Truly Scrumptious, who go on a picnic at the beach where they are soon whisked into a magical world of pirates, castles, and a flying car called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

In the adventure that ensues, they journey to Vulgaria and encounter the evil tyrant Baron Bomburst and his child-hating wife, who kidnap Potts’ children and steal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. With the assistance of the kindly village toymaker, Potts plans an elaborate scheme to rescue the kidnapped children and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the Baron’s castle on his birthday.

It memorably features one of the creepiest villains in cinematic history via the Child Catcher (played by Helpmann).

Who would work on the new ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ movie?

1968’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Photo: United Artists.

That’s a big question mark right now; Amazon MGM is meeting with writers and directors to discuss the best angle for the new adaptation (which we’re thinking will need to be considerably updated for the current era), so we’ll have to wait and see who steps up.

Broccoli and Eon will produce the new movie.

When would the new ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ movie be in theaters?

With the project still at the development stage, it’s still far too early to speculate on when it might arrive in theaters, or whether Amazon chooses to send it to streaming.