Peter Pan & Wendy on Disney Plus is another adaptation of the timeless classic about the boy who refused to grow up. This version takes the 1953 Disney animation and transforms it into a real life action movie, with Jude Law taking on the role of Peter’s nemesis, the evil Captain Hook.
Based on J.M. Barrie’s famous novel, it follows Wendy Darling, played by Ever Anderson, who defies her parents’ wishes for her to go to boarding school and instead travels with her two brothers, John and Michael, to the magical Neverland with Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to grow up, and the mischievous fairy Tinker Bell. She also befriends the brave Lost Boys and encounters pirates and mystical mermaids.
Peter’s nemesis Captain Hook is never far behind, however, and the evil pirate is determined to get rid of Peter for good.
"We set out to craft a film that honours both the original J.M. Barrie text and Walt Disney’s animated adaptation, we wanted to invigorate our retelling with emotional sincerity, an open heart, and a grand yearning for adventure," says director and co-writer David Lowery.
"Hundreds of incredible artists spent many years bringing this film to the screen. I'm excited for audiences to see their work, to go on this ride, and to rediscover an evergreen tale from a new perspective."
Here’s all the latest news and a quick guide to all things Peter Pan & Wendy, coming to Disney+, including the first look poster below...
Peter Pan & Wendy release date on Disney Plus
Peter Pan & Wendy launches worldwide on Disney+ on Friday April 28 2023. So get ready for the swash and buckle, pixie dust and the flying!
Is there a Peter Pan & Wendy trailer?
Yes! After Disney previously released a teaser trailer for Peter Pan & Wendy, an official trailer is now online featuring even more looks at Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook and their adventures in Neverland. Watch both trailers directly below:
Peter Pan & Wendy plot
Edwardian Londoner Wendy Darling is annoyed at the impending prospect of boarding school and jumps at the chance for adventure when she meets magical flying boy Peter Pan. But as the pair travel to Peter’s magical home in Neverland with Wendy’s brothers John and Michael and Peter’s fairy companion Tinker Bell, they soon cross paths with sinister pirate Captain Hook and an epic battle of wills ensues…
Peter Pan & Wendy cast — Jude Law on playing Captain Hook
British movie stalwart Jude Law (see main picture) will take on the role of the infamous pirate Captain Hook, who has a personal vendetta against Peter Pan as the youngster cut off his arm in a duel and fed it to a crocodile. So along with the long-suffering Smee (Jim Gaffigan), Hook plots Peter's downfall.
Jude told The Tonight Show: "You understand a little more about why Hook is the way he is,' Jude said. 'How he came to Neverland, the relationship between him and Peter and how it really started. And so you really get into …a little bit of the damage that was done to him, and why he's quite as awful as he is."
* It’s not the first time Jude Law has played a well-known character from a book as he found fame as Dickie Greenleaf alongside Matt Damon as killer Mr Ripley in the film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s thriller The Talented Mr Ripley. Jude also plays Albus Dumbledore in JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films.
Interview: Alexander Molony on playing Peter Pan
Alexander Molony takes on the much-loved role of Peter Pan, the boy who can fly and takes the Darlings to mystical island home Neverland. He played Charlie in The Reluctant Landlord from 2018 to 2019, which was Romesh Ranganathan’s comic story of a man who reluctantly inherits a pub from his father.
Here's Alexander Molony's exclusive interview with us about all things Peter Pan & Wendy...
This is your film debut, how have you found it?
Alexander says: "Absolutely amazing! I loved every minute. The only bit I didn’t love was filming in a crazy heatwave in Vancouver. But we had water fights to cool off!"
What was the appeal of starring in Peter Pan & Wendy for you?
Alexander says: "This is an updated version of the classic story, but with the same action and adventure. I come from a family that loves Disney so the chance to star as such an iconic character was a dream come true. It was great to channel some of my own inner Peter Pan into the role!"
The film marks the 70th anniversary of the original Disney animated version in 1953. Why do you think the story is so timeless?
Alexander says: "Well, there’s the feeling of not wanting to grow up, which I’m sure everyone can relate to. There is an appeal to not growing up for me. I have to do exams and decide on my A-Level choices. I miss the days when my decisions were whether I wanted to play pirates or hide and seek at break!"
Ha! How do you see Peter and his relationship with Wendy?
Alexander says: "He loves adventure and mischief, but he’s very particular, and he doesn’t like his mysterious background or leadership being questioned! Peter brings Wendy to Neverland, as he assumes that she doesn’t want to grow up either and that she’ll love it as much as he does, but when she doesn’t, he’s not happy. Wendy helps Peter realise that there’s maybe more to life than Neverland, although he might not be ready to embrace it."
Did Ever Anderson and yourself become good pals?
Alexander says: "We had loads of fun on set playing pranks but we’d also hang out off set too. Each weekend, we’d do a different escape room in Vancouver!"
Captain Hook’s rivalry with Peter is legendary, how do you view the tension between them?
Alexander says: "They both need each other. Without the other to battle with and insult, they’re lost, with little purpose. It was amazing working with Jude. He was so inspirational and I learnt so much watching how he got into character. It was nice spending time chatting in the dinghy or crow’s nest [on pirate ship the Jolly Roger]!"
What were the fight scenes like?
Alexander says: "Very intense! I went through a lot of training. I worked with the amazing stunt team who were supportive and fun, especially my stunt doubles, who made sure I was safe. The fight sequences look impressive, so all the training was worth it!"
Did you enjoy flying too?!
Alexander says: "Well, it’s pixie dust of course! But there was help from different harnesses depending on the type of flying required. It looked scary, but I loved it as soon as I got into the harness. It felt almost real, especially with massive fans blowing to simulate wind."
And how were the scenes with Tinker Bell shot?
Alexander says: "I never actually met Yara, as she filmed her scenes with CGI in LA, so we had little bulbs standing in for her which we interacted with! Tinker Bell is very loyal to Peter, but he takes her for granted and is very dismissive."
Peter has a fabulous costume, was it fun to wear?
Alexander says: "We did a lot of costume tests, but it just felt right putting it on. It looked amazing. One thing I will not miss is the boots. My poor dresser Kevin had to tie and untie them for half an hour every day!"
What did you think when you saw the sets for the first time?
Alexander says: "They looked amazing, with brilliant attention to detail. I loved filming scenes at Skull Rock [Hook’s den]. The atmosphere was incredible, especially with the sword fights and when it was filled with pirates. It was a massive cave that had been constructed and flooded with water, it was so impressive!"
If you could play another character in the story, who would it be?
Alexander says: "Captain Hook. It’s pretty cool to play a villain!"
Where would you go if you could fly for the day?
Alexander says: "Vancouver! I loved filming there, I miss so many people."
Finally, if you could ask Tinker Bell to grant you one wish, what would it be?
Alexander says: "To help me through my GCSEs!"
Ever Anderson as Wendy Darling...
13-year-old Ever Anderson will play the iconic character Wendy Darling. Previously Ever has had roles in Black Widow and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell…
Yara Shahidi is taking on the part of tiny, yet mischievous fairy Tinker Bell. She appeared in Salt alongside Angelina Jolie in 2010 and played Zoey Johnson in the series Black-ish from 2014 to 2020 (currently on Disney+). This led to the spin-off Grown-ish which started in 2018 and in which she reprises the role of Zoey. Both of those shows are currently on Disney+
Who else is starring in Peter Pan & Wendy?
Also among the Peter Pan & Wendy cast are Molly Parker (House of Cards) who plays Mrs Darling, while Alan Tudyk (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) is Mr Darling. Newcomers Joshua Pickering and Jacobi Jupe are Wendy's brothers John and Michael Darling, and another newcomer Alyssa Wapanatâhk is Tiger Lily. Jim Gaffigan is Hook’s pirate sidekick Smee.
Captain Hook star Jude Law visits Great Ormond Street Hospital
On April 20 2023, Jude Law surprised patients, their families and staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), a place with deep connections to J.M. Barrie’s original story of Peter Pan. visited children on the hospital’s cancer wards — named Lion, Elephant and Giraffe — delivering posters and bespoke activity packs. Patients across the hospital will be able to screen Peter Pan & Wendy from the 28 April and Disney have also gifted Funko Pops of Captain Hook for patients to enjoy.
Disney has a longstanding relationship with GOSH, which dates back to 1951, when Walt Disney first visited the hospital. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) is now one of Disney UK’s strategic charitable partners, working together to create ‘Moments That Matter’ for seriously ill children and help build emotional resilience when it is needed the most.
In 2018, the Disney Reef, an underwater-themed outdoor play area featuring a range of much-loved Disney characters, opened at the hospital and this year, Disney UK and GOSH Charity are redesigning the hospital’s indoor play area.
Every day, around 750 children from across the UK arrive at GOSH for specialist care, and the charity exists to fund the hospital’s most urgent needs. GOSH sees the most complex and difficult-to-treat childhood cancers, with around 500 children with cancer being referred every year, including some of those who enjoyed a visit from Jude Law. Since opening its doors in 1852, GOSH has relied on charitable support to help provide its patients with the extraordinary care, expertise and facilities that they nee
Peter Pan & Wendy filming locations…
Peter Pan & Wendy was filmed in Vancouver, Canada, where the stunning mountain scenery will make the prefect backdrop for Neverland. The film is directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker who both worked on the recent live action remake of Pete's Dragon.
Previous film and TV adaptations of Peter Pan…
Peter Pan has always been a pantomime and theatre favourite, but the story first hit cinema screens back in 1924 with a silent movie by Paramount.
The famous Disney animation of Peter Pan was released in 1953, which featured the voice of Bobby Driscoll as Peter and songs such as You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!, Second Star to the Right and Following The Leader.
Mia Farrow played Peter on the New York stage in the 1976 musical TV film Peter Pan then in 1991 the story was given a big tweak and the big-budget treatment for the film Hook. This was directed by Steven Speilberg and starred Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Hook and Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell.
In 2012 an animated series was released called The New Adventures of Peter Pan, while in 2015 Paloma Faith played Tinker Bell in ITV's Christmas drama Peter & Wendy, which set much of the action in Great Ormond Street Hospital, while Hugh Jackman played Blackbeard in the film Pan the same year, which serves as a prequel to the Disney+ Peter & Wendy story.
Peter Pan & Wendy — the original book…
Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie first mentioned the character of Peter Pan in his adult novel The Little White Bird in 1902. In this he’s a seven-day-old baby who flew from his nursery to Kensington Gardens in London where he was taken under the wing of birds and fairies. Barrie then brought the beloved character to life in the theatre, with the West End stage play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up in 1904. This was expanded into the novel Peter and Wendy in 1911. In 1929 J. M. Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan to the children’s hospital Great Ormond Street in London, which means it receives royalties from any productions, books and other products featuring the character.
