Viola Swamp, one of literature’s most terrifying substitute teachers, is gearing up to make her cinematic debut. Netflix is in early development on “Miss Nelson Is Missing,” a live-action adaptation of the classic children’s book.
Melissa McCarthy will star in the film as Miss Nelson, the sweet teacher who “disappears” to teach her rowdy students a lesson in appreciation after she’s replaced by the ultra-strict substitute known as Miss Viola Swamp. Since — spoiler alert — Miss Nelson orchestrated her own absence to make the kids grateful for her in the first place, McCarthy is playing the hair-raising Miss Swamp as well.
Brad Copeland is writing the screenplay based on the book that was written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall. Reese Witherspoon is producing through her company Hello Sunshine alone with Lauren Neustadter. Other producers include McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone via On the Day Productions, Grey Matter’s Lawrence Grey and HarperCollins Productions’ Caroline Fraser.
More to come…
