A Life in the Woods

A Life in the Woods is a upcoming live action drama film released by Walt Disney Pictures for 2023.Based on true events and on the short film "A Life in the Woods"It's the story of how the book Bambi was created.It stars Will Smith,Viola Davis Josh Gad and Tom Hanks.

Synopsis

It's the 1920's and Author Felix Salten is trying to come up with a idea for his new book.After wishing on a star for his next book,Felix comes up with a idea from in one of his pages and comes across a deer who is trying to keep a buck from being lurred by man.

The next day he tells the board his idea for his new book and they are intrigued in the idea.They tell him to have the book finished or else they will fire him. Felix also goes through the struggles through The Great Depression,Fighting in World War 2,and the work he accomplished before he created Bambi.

Cast

Will Smith-Felix Salten

Viola Davis-Ottilie Metzl

Josh Gad-Mason Stagholm

Tom Hanks-Walt Disney

Production

In 2017 A short film was sent to film festivals.The short was called "A Life in the Woods" The film was made by students and it starred Nolan Massey as Felix Salten and was directed by Dylan Herrin.It was their take on how Bambi was created.It won 3 short film festival awards. Short Film Critics stated that "Nolan did a great performance as Felix Salten and the director did good.Later that same year Director Marc Forster saw the short himself and he loved it so much he wanted to do a film adaptation on the short.In 2018 Marc Forster called Nolan Massey and stated he wanted to do a film on the short under the same name.Nolan agreed and let him do the film.In July 2018 Marc Foster announced that he would be giving A Life in the Woods a full film adaptation and a script was in the works.In 2019 Walt Disney Pictures stated that they would distribute the film since they already bought the rights to Bambi.it was later reported that Marc Forster would direct the film.

Writing

Simon Curtis signed on to help write the script.The script was later finished in 2020.Marc later stated that Walt Disney would make a cameo in the film and would show the work on how the movie Bambi was created.

Casting

Disney originally wanted Idris Elba to play Felix Salten but Idris turned it down.In 2020 Viola Davis signed on to play Ottilie Metzl.On April 2021 Tom Hanks reported he would reprise his role as Walt Disney that same day Josh Gad was reported to be Mason Stagholm.On May 2022 Disney announced Will Smith would be playing the role of Felix Salten.