Working in all territories except the UK, Ireland and Australia, film distributor AGC International is shopping a new live-action family pic based on English author David Walliams’ kids book Fing! at the American Film Market, taking place in Las Vegas from November 5 to 10. 

This quirky 2019 novel published by HarperCollins is about two married librarians who go to great lengths to track down a mysterious monster for their spoiled daughter. Walliams’ children’s books have collectively sold more than 50 million copies worldwide, and titles including Mr Stink (2009), Gangsta Granny (2011) and The Midnight Gang (2018) have been optioned for TV and movie development over the years.

Walliams is executive producing this latest big-screen adaptation of his work through his London-based King Bert Productions banner, working with Stuart Ford from AGC Studios. Jo Sargent (King Bert Productions), Todd Fellman (Australia’s Story Bridge Films) and Craig McMahon (Australia’s Forte Corp Pictures) are also attached as producers and Jeffrey Walker (H2O: Just Add Water) will direct.

The project is financed by Sky (which holds the UK rights), AGC Studios and Elevate Production Finance, with a Production Attraction incentive locked down at Screen Queensland. 

Fing! could also have some major star power on board soon—Oscar winner Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) is currently in negotiations to join the cast, as confirmed by Walliams’ official X page. The New Zealand actor/filmmaker most recently starred in this year’s Time Bandits, an Apple TV+ kids and family series that he co-created. 

Featured image: Taika Waititi at the UK premiere of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)