Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Drama, Family, Fantasy |.
Bridge to Terabithia is a American coming-of-age fantasy adventure film directed by Gábor Csupó and adapted for film by David L. Paterson and Jeff Stockwell. The film, starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Robert Patrick, Bailee Madison, and Zooey Deschanel, and released by Walt Disney Pictures, is based on Katherine Paterson’s 1977 novel of the same name. Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of bullied kids Jesse Aarons and Leslie Burke, 12-year-old neighbors who create a fantasy world called Terabithia and spend their free time together in an abandoned tree house.
The original novel was based on events from the childhood of the author’s son, screenwriter David Paterson. When he asked his mother if he could write a screenplay of the novel, she agreed in part because of his ability as a playwright. Production began in February 2006, and the film was finished by November. Principal photography was shot in Auckland, New Zealand, within 60 days.
Jesse “Jess” Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is a 12-year-old aspiring artist living with his financially struggling family in Lark Creek. He rides the bus to school with his little sister May Belle (Bailee Madison), where he avoids the school bully Janice Avery (Lauren Clinton). In class, Jess is teased by classmates Scott Hoager (Cameron Wakefield) and Gary Fulcher (Elliot Lawless), and meets new student Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb). At recess, Jess enters a running event, for which he had been training at home. Leslie also enters and manages to beat all the boys, much to Jess’s irritation. On the way home, Jess and Leslie learn they are next-door neighbors.
Later in the evening, Jess becomes frustrated when he finds that May Belle has drawn in his notebook, but his strict yet caring father (Robert Patrick) sides with her.
Director: Gabor Csupo
Writers: Jeff Stockwell (screenplay), David Paterson (screenplay), Katherine Paterson (book)
Stars: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Robert Patrick, Bailee Madison, Zooey Deschanel
Cast:
| Josh Hutcherson | … | Jess Aarons |
| AnnaSophia Robb | … | Leslie Burke |
| Zooey Deschanel | … | Ms. Edmunds |
| Robert Patrick | … | Jack Aarons |
| Bailee Madison | … | May Belle Aarons |
| Kate Butler | … | Mary Aarons |
| Devon Wood | … | Brenda Aarons |
| Emma Fenton | … | Ellie Aarons |
| Grace Brannigan | … | Joyce Aarons |
| Latham Gaines | … | Bill Burke |
| Judy McIntosh | … | Judy Burke |
| Patricia Aldersley | … | Grandma Burke |
| Lauren Clinton | … | Janice Avery |
| Isabelle Rose Kircher | … | Carla |
| Cameron Wakefield | … | Scott Hoager |
| Elliot Lawless | … | Gary Fulcher |
| Carly Owen | … | Madison |
| Jen Wolfe | … | Mrs. Myers |
| James Gaylyn | … | Principal Turner |
| Ian Harcourt | … | Kenny – Bus Driver |
| Brandon Cook | … | First Grade Boy |
| Tyler Atfield | … | Eighth Grade Boy |
| Maisy McLeod-Riera | … | First Grade Girl |
| Hudson Mills | … | Willard Hughes |
| Matt Gibbons | … | Dark Master |
| Phil Grieve | … | Mr. Bailey (as Philip Grieve) |
| Fernando Gonzalez | … | Classmate |
| Mikaila Baumel | … | Little girl (voice) (uncredited) |
| Aaron Beard | … | Art Gallery Extra (uncredited) |
| Luke Burnyeat | … | School Kid (uncredited) |
| Zoe Cramond | … | Parishioner (uncredited) |
| Dwight Wilson II | … | P.E. Teacher (uncredited) |
| Shelby Young | … | Ellie Aarons (voice) (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia