Cate Blanchett is in talks to join the cast of The House With A Clock In Its Walls. Based on the 1973 children’s book by John Bellairs and illustrated by Edward Gorey, the big screen adaptation was announced back in June with Eli Roth in the director’s chair and Jack Black starring. The script will be penned by Erik Kripke, who is perhaps best known as the creator of the Supernatural series. The House With A Clock In Its Walls will be produced by Kripke alongside Brad Fischer and James Vanderbilt for Amblin Entertainment and Mythology Entertainment.
Bellair’s original novel was a gothic fantasy style adventure, albeit one aimed at a younger audience. The story centers around young orphan Lewis Barnavelt, who is forced to move in with his enigmatic warlock uncle, Jonathan (Jack Black). Lewis soon finds himself embroiled in preventing a magical plot to destroy the world but must still contend with the everyday difficulties of being the new kid in town.
Although production on The House With A Clock In Its Walls is still in the very early stages, Variety has reported that Cate Blanchett is in talks to join the cast. There are no details on who the actress will be playing or any further names announced as appearing other than Black.
Details surrounding Blanchett’s character are scarce but it seems highly likely that she’ll be playing the role of Florence Zimmerman. Florence is Jonathan’s next door neighbor and friend and is a powerful witch for the side of good. Blanchett recently commented on her casting in Thor: Ragnarok, claiming that her own children helped encourage her take the part and it’s possible that she’ll be appearing in the family-friendly The House With A Clock In Its Walls for similar reasons. The prospect of a reunion with James Vanderbilt – whom she worked with on Truth – may also be a factor.
If Blanchett is indeed confirmed to be playing Florence, it’ll be far from the first time that the actress has portrayed a powerful and magical character, having brought Galadriel to life in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Blanchett’s more recent role as Hela in Thor: Ragnarok may also be good practice for the role as although one character is good and the other is evil, both are authoritative and formidable fantasy creations. Certainly then, it seems as if Cate Blanchett would be a perfect fit for The House With A Clock In Its Walls.
The House With A Clock In Its Walls is currently without a release date.
