A “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” remake is in the works from Amazon MGM Studios and “James Bond” backers Eon Productions.
The film is in early stages of development with executives at Eon and Amazon in the process of meeting with potential writers and directors. It’s intended to release in theaters.
Dick Van Dyke starred in the original 1968 “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” a kid-friendly musical fantasy film adapted from the children’s book by James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Directed by Ken Hughes, produced by Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and written by Roald Dahl, Ken Hughes and Richard Maibaum, the story followed widowed odd-ball inventor Caractacus Potts (Dyke) and his children, who salvage a scrapped racing car with magical abilities in pre-war England. The film’s title song was nominated for an Oscar.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was also turned into a stage musical with six new songs by the Sherman brothers, who wrote the music for the film. The show premiered in London in 2002 before opening on Broadway in 2005. It later toured the United States, Australia, Singapore and Germany and is currently playing in the United Kingdom.
This project continues the partnership of Amazon MGM and Eon Productions, whom are responsible for bringing the Bond franchise to the big screen. Daniel Craig, the most recent actor to portray 007, retired as the suave spy in 2021’s “No Time to Die,” the 25th installment in the series. A search is underway to replace the MI6 agent with a license to kill.
Deadline Hollywood first reported the news of the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” remake.