Taika Waititi and Mia Wasikowska are starring in the movie adaptation of David Walliams’s children’s book FING.

The New Zealand actor/director and Alice in Wonderland actress are joined by Downton Abbey’s Penelope Wilton, The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, Australian actors Richard Roxburgh and Robyn Niven, and newcomer Iona Bell.

Explaining why he was drawn to the family adventure, the Thor: Ragnarok director said in a statement, “When I read the script, I instantly felt David’s unique and quirky wit jump off the page. There’s a dark humour and edge to FING! and I’m excited to bring the eccentric Viscount to the screen.”

According to the official synopsis, the story follows Myrtle (Bell), who demands that her parents Mr. and Mrs. Meek (Harrison and Wasikowska) get her a Fing.

Her parents embark on a quest to track one down, taking them to the furthest and darkest corners of the jungle. Fing turns out to be as much of a destructive monster as Myrtle, who in turn, must battle it out with the evil animal park owner, The Viscount (Waititi), who is determined to own this rarest of creatures.

Wilton will play The Viscount’s Nanny, while Roxburgh will appear as the Bank Manager and Nevin as the Chief Librarian.

Comedian and author Walliams co-wrote the big-screen adaptation of his 2019 book with Kevin Cecil and will also make an appearance as Myrtle’s headmaster.

“FING is such a fun and visual story with so many flights of fancy and I can’t wait to see it come to life on screen. To have Taika join the cast is absolutely thrilling as well,” Walliams added. “He’s a fantastic comedy performer, writer and director and I know he’ll have enormous fun playing the villainous role of the Viscount.”

Production is now underway on the fantasy film in Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane, Australia, with Jeffrey Walker at the helm as director.

The film will be released in the U.K. on Sky Cinema.

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