THE BFG teaser trailer brings Steven Spielberg back to his roots for Disney family fiction

The BFG teaser trailer gives us a glimpse of the big guy himself

Steven Spielberg’s upcoming family fantasy film adaptation of The BFG finally got a teaser trailer. The brief glimpse we get of the big guy himself as well as the girl at the center of the story is enough to make fans of the classic story want more, and as someone who doesn’t know much about the property I’m curious what’s in store. The BFG first came to life back in the ’80s as a children’s story from author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox) and then as an animated adaptation soon after, and Spielberg is bringing the book to the big screen next summer. Already, critics and film fans are comparing the style on display to the director’s own Hook, but only time will tell just how much of the old tear-jerker, family friendly Spielberg we’ll get.

Watch the first teaser trailer for The BFG and read a lengthy plot synopsis for the movie after the jump.

I’m sure if I wracked my brain and took a peek inside the original book I’d remember bits and pieces of The BFG, but unfortunately I don’t remember much and didn’t even know this one was being turned into a movie. That said, simply seeing Bill Hader and Jemaine Clement attached as giants is enough to hook me, not to mention the return of fantasy Spielberg, so this one is on my radar now. What do you think? Looking forward to seeing one of your favorite children’s stories in theater or curious about Spielberg’s latest?

If you’re not familiar with the story, here’s a pretty hefty plot synopsis for The BFG:

The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.

Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see Queen Victoria (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

The BFG stars Ruby Barnhill, Bill Hader, Rebecca Hall, Jemaine Clement, Mark Rylance, Adam Godley, and Penelope Wilton. The movie hits theaters next summer on July 1, 2016.