Do you think cinematic universes and franchises are only reserved for superheroes, Vin Diesel, and horror films? Well, you’re mistaken. The latest growing franchise is growing out of the hit feel-good drama, “Wonder.” Now, we have the first sequel/spinoff, “White Bird.”
As seen in the trailer for “White Bird,” the film follows the story of a young boy, Julian, who was last seen bullying the protagonist of “Wonder.” After being expelled from his former school, Julian’s grandmother sits him down to tell him her story of growing up in Nazi-occupied France. From there, you can kind of guess how this is going to go, as the young boy learns a hard lesson through the story of courage from his elder. Cry tears, feel uplifted, and leave happy.
The film stars Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt, Bryce Gheisar, Gillian Anderson, and Helen Mirren. “White Bird” is directed by Marc Forster, the filmmaker behind the recent Tom Hanks hit, “A Man Called Otto.” He also directed “Quantum of Solace,” “World War Z,” and “Christopher Robin.”
“White Bird” debuts in select theaters on August 18. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
From the best-selling author of Wonder, the book that sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter. In White Bird, we follow Julian (Bryce Gheisar), who has struggled to belong ever since he was expelled from his former school for his treatment of Auggie Pullman. To transform his life, Julian’s grandmother (Helen Mirren) finally reveals to Julian her own story of courage — during her youth in Nazi-occupied France, a boy shelters her from mortal danger. They find first love in a stunning, magical world of their own creation, while the boy’s mother (Gillian Anderson) risks everything to keep her safe. From director Marc Forster (Finding Neverland and Christopher Robin), screenwriter Mark Bomback, and based on R.J. Palacio’s book, White Bird: A Wonder Story, like Wonder before it, is an uplifting movie about how one act of kindness can live on forever.