JACK WHITEHALL IN TALKS TO REVIVE BELOVED BRITISH CARTOON IN LIVE-ACTION FILM

Jack Whitehall is reportedly in talks to reboot classic children's animated series Mr Benn as a live-action film.

The character was created by David McKee and appeared in several children's books before becoming a beloved TV series in 1971.

It broadcast on the BBC until 1972, running for just 14 episodes, but quickly became an iconic character among the pantheon of children's TV.

In 1999, it was reported that a feature film was in the works starring John Hannah as Mr Benn and Ben Kingsley as the shopkeeper, but the project was cancelled in 2001.

But in a turn of events, it has been revealed that comedian Whitehall is being eyed up to take on the role of Mr Benn in a live-action film adaptation after being "obsessed" with the series.

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Speaking on the Guestimators podcast, Jack's mother, Hilary, told hosts Andy Bush and Statman Matt: "Somebody has got the rights and they are interested in Jack playing Mr Benn."

She continued: "Jack was obsessed with Mr Benn, because it's all about dressing up. Jack loves to dress up.

"The whole notion of make believe and going into another world and becoming a character played into Jack's head completely. He loves Mr Benn."

In 2014, McKee opened up about the idea of Mr Benn hitting the big screen and what he would like to see in a film about his creation.

"I'd like to see that [the film] happen, because Mr Benn's a big boy and he can live his own life. I think he's right for being developed on the big screen,' he told the BBC.

He told The Guardian in 2017 how he created Mr Benn and the influences behind the character: "I wanted Mr Benn to be Mr Everybody. Bowler hats were more common in the early 1970s.

"There was a respectability to them, plus Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy are favourites of mine."

He continued: "Mr Benn went off on adventures according to whatever costume he tried on. I was heavily influenced by fables because of their apparent simplicity.

"I like stories with a moral, that have a reason for being there – I don’t like a character to wake up and realise it was all a dream.

"That’s why I introduced the souvenir that Mr Benn always takes back with him, to say that it really did happen."

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2025-10-09T08:53:54Z