Robert Zemeckis’ ‘The Witches’ Skips Theaters for HBO Max Debut

Rober Zemeckis’ adaptation of “The Witches” starring Anne Hathaway is landing on HBO Max just in time for Halloween.

The Warner Bros. dark fantasy comedy will debut on the subscription streaming service, owned by parent company WarnerMedia, on Oct. 22.

“The Witches” was originally expected to open in theaters on Oct. 9, but like almost every movie set to release this year, its premiere was delayed amid the pandemic.

“The Witches” is based on Roald Dahl’s children’s novel about a young boy who, while staying with his grandmother at a hotel, happens upon a gathering of witches led by the Grand High Witch (Hathaway). With the help of his grandmother, he attempts to thwart their evil plan of turning all the children in the world into mice. The upcoming version stars newcomer Jahzir Kadeem Bruno, along with Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock and Kristin Chenoweth.

Zemeckis, whose credits include beloved classics like “Forrest Gump” and “Back to the Future,” directed “The Witches.” He also wrote the screenplay with Guillermo del Toro and Kenya Barris.

The story was first adapted for the big screen in 1990 with a cast that included Angelica Huston and Rowan Atkinson. That version, directed by Nicolas Roeg, was a financial failure but later gained a cult following.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

More to come…