The Great Gilly Hopkins (film)

The Great Gilly Hopkins is a 2015 American comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Herek and written by David L. Paterson. It is based on Katherine Paterson's 1978 children's book of the same name. The film stars Sophie Nélisse, Kathy Bates, Julia Stiles, Bill Cobbs, Billy Magnussen, Octavia Spencer, and Glenn Close. The film was released on October 7, 2016, by Lionsgate Premiere.

The Great Gilly Hopkins
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Stephen Herek
Written by	David L. Paterson
Based on	The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Produced by	David L. Paterson John Paterson William Teitler Brian Kennedy
Starring	Sophie Nélisse Kathy Bates Julia Stiles Bill Cobbs Billy Magnussen Octavia Spencer Glenn Close
Cinematography	David M. Dunlap
Edited by	David Leonard
Music by	Mark Isham
Production company	Arcady Bay Entertainment
Distributed by	Lionsgate Premiere
Release dates	October 6, 2015 (2015-10-06) (Schlingel) October 7, 2016 (2016-10-07) (United States)
Running time	99 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$5 million
Box office	$97,798

Plot

Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins is the meanest girl in town: she has a birth mother she has never seen and has moved from one foster home to another. Learning that she will be sent to a new home, she wastes no time stirring up trouble. Then she meets a woman named Maime Trotter, who wants to be the mother Gilly needs. With Gilly posing a challenge, Trotter must prove a good relationship that will benefit both of them.

Cast

• Sophie Nélisse as Galadriel ”Gilly” Hopkins^[2]
• Kathy Bates as Maime Trotter^[2]
• Julia Stiles as Courtney Rutherford Hopkins^[3]
• Octavia Spencer as Miss Barbara Harris^[2]
• Glenn Close as Nonnie Hopkins^[2]
• Bill Cobbs as Mr. Randolph^[3]
• Billy Magnussen as Mr. Ellis^[4]
• Clare Foley as Agnes Stokes
• Zachary Hernandez as William Ernest "W.E." Teague
• Sammy Pignalosa as Rajeem
• Toby Turner as Ticket Agent
• Frank Oz as Cookie Monster (voice)

Production

On February 8, 2013, it was announced that Stephen Herek would direct an adaption of The Great Gilly Hopkins, with Kathy Bates and Danny Glover set to star in the film.^[5] On February 6, 2014, Sophie Nélisse, Glenn Close and Octavia Spencer joined the cast of the film.^[2] On May 9, 2014, Julia Stiles and Bill Cobbs joined the cast of the film. Cobbs replaced Glover, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.^[3] Principal photography began on April 9, 2014, and ended on June 15, 2014.^[6][7]

Release

The film premiered on October 6, 2015, at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival.^[8] Lionsgate Premiere acquired distribution rights, and set the film for an October 7, 2016, release.^[9]