Beatrix Potter fans, look away now. The new animated version of Peter Rabbit got its first trailer yesterday (September 21), and by the look of things it’s been given a very modern update.
And that’s understating it: Mr. McGregor’s cunicular nemesis always was a pesky little chap, but in Easy A director Will Gluck‘s reboot he’s a veritable tearaway.
He’s also voiced by one James Corden, who’s taken a break from the carpool lanes to lend his vocal chords to the blue-jacketed bunny.
The cast features plenty more Anglo favorites, including Star Wars‘ Domhnall Gleeson as a “young” Mr. McGregor, Jurassic Park‘s Sam Neill as Mr. McGregor Senior, while Bridesmaids‘ Rose Byrne plays a mysterious character known as “Bea,” whom some have assumed is a reference to the original tale’s author.
And the stars voicing Peter’s bunny pals are more than worthy of a mention too: there’s Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Daisy Ridley) and Cottontail (The Night Manager‘s Elizabeth Debicki).
Add to that it’s an update of a beloved children’s tale that’s captivated generations of children since it was first published in 1902.
So we were pretty excited to see the trailer had finally been released. …Aaand perhaps a little concerned. See what you think:
Woah. Has Peter Rabbit turned home intruder and vandal? Last time we checked his worst crime was pilfering a couple of lettuces.
The film’s official plot synopsis calls it an “irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude,” which, coincidentally, also goes some way to describe people’s reactions to the trailer on social media:
Studio Exec – "let's turn Peter Rabbit into a frat boy and make a movie about it" – the world… #PeterRabbit pic.twitter.com/su3MBkLXTw
— Carley Tauchert (@carleytauchert) September 21, 2017
Just seen the #PeterRabbit trailer & it looks awful. Mr McGregor is not in his 30’s! Peter in a denim jacket?!
pic.twitter.com/QjIFFjAZVO
— Ali (@UnexpectedPenny) September 22, 2017
The new #PeterRabbit trailer completely ruined my childhood. Nobody asked for this.
— Cotton Candy Hearth (@LeanoraCampbell) September 22, 2017
The synopsis goes on: “In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor (Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Byrne). James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm.”
That’s for sure. And don’t get us wrong, we welcome innovative, unexpected takes on the classics. The question remains, though: will it appease the Potter-heads?
Peter Rabbit is due to open in theaters on February 9, 2018.
What do you think of the trailer?