‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ Interview: Andrew Garfield and More

Opening in US theaters on August 21st is the new family adventure ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’, which is based on the popular book of the same name written by Enid Blyton, while the screenplay was written by Simon Farnaby (‘Paddington 2’) and the film was directed by Ben Gregor (‘Fatherhood’).

Release Date: Aug 21, 2026

Run Time: 1 hr 50 min

The movie stars Andrew Garfield (‘The Amazing Spider-Man’), Claire Foy (‘The Crown’), Nicola Coughlan (‘Bridgerton’), Nonso Anozie (‘The Grey’), Jennifer Saunders (‘Death on the Nile’), and Rebecca Ferguson (‘Dune’), as well as young actors Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Phoenix Laroche, and Billie Gadsdon.

(L to R) Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy star in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy about their work on ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’, the book it is based on, creating the unique family dynamic, and working with the children on set.

Related Article: Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro Circling Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’

Andrew Garfield stars in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’. Photo: Vertical.

Moviefone: To begin with, Andrew, were you familiar with the classic book the film is based on and what was your first reaction to Simon Farnaby’ script?

Andrew Garfield: I never read ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ books, but I read ‘The Famous Five’ books when I was young, which is another Enid Blyton series. So, when Simon Farnaby showed me the script, I came into it cold, but I, obviously, had been a huge fan of Simon from the ‘Paddington’ films. I think he’s one of our great British absurdist story writers, and he’s so high art/low art. It’s amazing. He has fart jokes and profound insights into the human soul. He’s so in tune with the absurdity of being a person, and it’s always kind. There’s always this undercurrent of nice, kind, loving. There’s a loving gaze on his characters. I read the script and I just fell in love. I was like, “Oh no, I have to be a part of this with you.” This is something that I’ve been longing to do, a family story that has a really beautiful message, but also is fully stupid, slapstick, hilarious and full of irony that’s funny to kids, but also funny to adults as well. It has a ‘Simpsons’ esque quality to the humor, which sometimes Simon can access. I absolutely love it. So, it was kind of a no-brainer. Then Claire came on and it was like, “Well, it can’t get any better than that.”

(L to R) Andrew Garfield, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Claire Foy, Phoenix Laroche and Billie Gadsdon star in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’. Photo: Vertical.

MF: Claire, can you talk about creating the family dynamic with Andrew and the children on set?

Claire Foy: I think, probably, we took it for granted. I don’t think we really had to work that hard. I think they cast these children so perfectly and brilliantly, and each of them are so distinct and so right for the character that they were just a joy to be around. I think Polly, at the beginning of the film, is longing to spend more time with her kids and wondering why, like lots of people do, that you see your children less when they’re at school or they’re plugged into the mainframe on their devices. It’s rediscovering her kids through the film, as well, and getting to know them again and actually listening to them. It felt really natural and really easy to do, to be honest.

(L to R) Phoenix Laroche, Billie Gadsdon and Delilah Bennett-Cardy star in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’. Photo: Vertical.

MF: Finally, Andrew, what was your experience like working with the kid actors and did you play games with them on set to keep them engaged?

AG: The whole set was so light. It was just joy every day. It was ease and joy and play. What games would we play? They’re very clever kids. They’re really smart kids. So we do a lot of word games. I feel like we played some card games. The usual kind of thing. But it was more just like you were on set with people that you loved and that you really enjoyed spending time with, whether they were younger or older. With the older cast as well, with Jennifer Saunders and with Simon himself. It was just a pure pleasure to be on this set with everybody and there was no real hierarchy. Everyone was just part of the same family. The kids, they kind of set the tone in a way. They’re so kind. They’re so thoughtful. They’re so considerate. They’re so talented. They’re just really good people that you just want to actually be with and hang out. So, I’d talk about books with Delilah. Or do silly dances with Beth, and throw Phoenix around and talk about cheese. It was just like heaven.

(L to R) Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon, Phoenix Laroche, Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield star in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’. Photo: Vertical.

What is the plot of ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’?

A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They’re transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.