Cate Blanchett Joins Eli Roth's 'House With A Clock In Its Walls'

We’re living through weird times, and while on an ordinary day the news of Cate Blanchett working with Eli Roth might surprise us, there are bigger concerns out there. Still, it raises an eyebrow, but the schlock master’s next movie is a step away from his usual R-rated genre fare.

The House With A Clock In Its Walls” is based on the 1973 book by John Bellairs, illustrated by Edward Gorey, that follows a young boy who discovers his Uncle’s house is filled with secrets. Here’s the book synopsis:

Orphaned Lewis Barnavelt comes to live with his Uncle Jonathan and quickly learns that both his uncle and his next-door neighbor are witches on a quest to discover the terrifying clock ticking within the walls of Jonathan’s house. Can the three of them save the world from certain destruction?

Okay, so this is a quirky movie geared for younger audiences, but here’s the thing that makes me interested: Cate Blachett will be playing the Uncle’s neighbor, who also happens to be a witch. And playing the Uncle? Jack Black….who is a witch himself. So that’s right, Blanchett and Black are witches in a kids movie directed by Roth. Alright, I’m now legitimately curious. [THR]