Today, Disney+ released the trailer and new photos for the comedy-adventure Flora & Ulysses, premiering exclusively on the streaming service Friday, February 19, 2021.
The film is based on the Newbery Award-winning book Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, by Kate DiCamillo, about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated.
After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers, which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora’s life–and her outlook–forever.
Flora & Ulysses stars Matilda Lawler, Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz, Anna Deavere Smith, Danny Pudi, Benjamin Evans Ainsworth, Janeane Garofolo and Kate McCucci.
The film was directed by Lena Khan and produced by Gil Netter. The screenplay is by Brad Copeland. Katterli Frauenfelder and James Powers served as executive producers.
Director Lena Khan made waves with her first feature film, The Tiger Hunter, which released in 2017 and was financed by crowdfunding. The comedy about a South Asian Muslim immigrant attempting to find his way in 1970s America garnered positive reviews for Khan, a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and spotlighted her talents as a Muslim woman behind the camera.
Matilda Lawler steps into the role of Flora, marking her film debut. She recently starred on Broadway as Honor Carney in Jez Butterworth’s Tony Award–winning play The Ferryman, directed by Sam Mendes.
Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother, American Pie) plays Flora’s romance-writer mother, Phyllis, and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation, Modern Family) plays the role of her world-weary, estranged father, George.
Newcomer Benjamin Evans Ainsworth plays the role of William, Flora’s newfound, but annoying, friend, and Danny Pudi (Community, The Tiger Hunter) joins the cast as Miller, an overly zealous animal control officer.
The film is produced by Academy Award–nominated film producer Gil Netter (Life of Pi, The Blind Side, Marley and Me), and James Powers (The Maze Runner series) and Katterli Frauenfelder (Dumbo, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children) are the executive producers. The book was adapted for the screen by Brad Copeland (Ferdinand, Wild Hogs).
Khan and the producers assembled a talented roster of filmmakers, including director of photography Andrew Dunn (Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Crazy, Stupid, Love.); production designer Michael Fitzgerald (Medal of Honor, The Tiger Hunter); editor Lee Haxall (Always Be My Maybe); and costume designer Mona May (Santa Clarita Diet, Enchanted).
Are you excited to check out Flora & Ulysses when it hits Disney+ on February 19?
Let us know what you think about the trailer in the comments or tweet us @vitalthrillscom.
