Sources say Jack Whitehall is being considered to bring back the beloved cartoon *Mr. Benn* as a live-action movie.
David McKee first created the character, who then starred in a number of children’s books before becoming a popular TV show in 1971.
Though it only aired on the BBC for 14 episodes until 1972, the show quickly became a beloved and memorable part of children’s television history.
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A movie adaptation of Mr. Benn was planned in 1999, with John Hannah set to play Mr. Benn and Ben Kingsley as the shopkeeper. However, the film was ultimately cancelled in 2001.
Surprisingly, comedian Jack Whitehall is now a leading candidate to play Mr. Benn in a new live-action movie, reportedly because he’s a longtime fan of the show.
Hilary, Jack’s mother, recently shared on the *Guestimators* podcast that someone is considering Jack for the role of Mr. Benn. She told hosts Andy Bush and Statman Matt that the rights to the character are held by a party interested in casting Jack.
She explained that Jack was really into the show *Mr. Benn* because it features a character who constantly changes outfits, and Jack himself loves dressing up.
Jack was completely captivated by the idea of imagination and stepping into different worlds to become someone else. He’s a huge fan of *Mr. Benn*.
In 2014, David McKee discussed the possibility of making a *Mr. Benn* movie and shared his vision for what it would be like.
He expressed his enthusiasm for a film adaptation, saying Mr. Benn is a mature character who deserves to make his own choices. He believes the story would translate well to the big screen, as he told the BBC.
In a 2017 interview with *The Guardian*, the creator of *Mr Benn* explained his inspiration for the character. He aimed for *Mr Benn* to be relatable to everyone, and noted that bowler hats were a more common sight in the early 1970s when the character was first conceived.
They had a certain charm, and I’ve always loved Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.
He explained that Mr. Benn’s adventures always began with the outfit he chose. He also mentioned that he drew a lot of inspiration from fables, admiring how they used simple stories to convey deeper meanings.
I enjoy stories that teach a lesson or have a clear purpose. I really dislike it when a story turns out to have been just a dream – it feels pointless.
That’s why I added the souvenir Mr. Benn always brings home – it proves his adventures were real.
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2025-10-09 11:49