Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Duston Hoffman gets Wonka-esque with Natalie Portman by his side in this manic toy store story.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zachary Mills, Ted Ludzik
Director: Zach Helm
(Fox, due November 16, 2007)
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While Portman was filming V for Vendetta in Berlin in 2005, she received a white box containing the script for Mr. Magorium's, the directorial debut of screenwriter Zach Helm (Stranger Than Fiction), along with a long, lyrical missive. "It said, 'Natalie, I want to make something as meaningful to kids as boxed apple juice and raisins and roller coasters,'" she says. Portman promptly accepted the role of Molly Mahoney, the earnest young manager who takes over the titular toy store from its 243-year-old owner (Hoffman) in this coming-of-age fantasy, filmed in Toronto on a soundstage brimming with bouncy balls, stuffed animals, and all manner of gadgets and goodies. "Molly's wearing those candy necklaces all the time," says Portman. "Yet she doesn't see how she's special enough to take on an adult role. [So] the store gets visibly sad. It's like a kid." And you thought shopping at FAO Schwarz was overwhelming.
— Cristy Lytal
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Courtesy of Twentieth Century-Fox
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