With Hollywood continuing to revive movies a long time after their original releases, more movies are getting long-awaited sequels than ever before. While some would welcome a follow-up to “Matilda,” Mara Wilson isn’t convinced the 1996 cult film should follow the trend. The actress recently shared why she has reservations about revisiting the beloved family movie.
“Matilda” was released in 1996, based on the 1988 children’s novel of the identical title written by Roald Dahl. It starred Mara Wilson because the titular character and likewise featured Danny DeVito as her father, Rhea Perlman as her mother, Embeth Davidtz as Matilda’s kind and sweet teacher Ms. Honey, and Pam Ferris as ruthless principal Ms. Trunchbull.
At a Fanboy Expo panel, Wilson shared that she’s often asked about the potential of a “Matilda” sequel. One in all the plots often pushed is about Matilda’s daughter. Nevertheless, the actress doesn’t think that might work.
Wilson said Matilda overcame adversity within the movie and “found power in educating herself,” adding, “I don’t think Matilda would raise her daughter to be able where she developed those powers to guard herself,” per PEOPLE.
The Actress Thinks No One Is Good Enough For Matilda To Marry
Moreover, Wilson thinks it might be difficult to create a narrative by which Matilda is married and has a family of her own.
“It is a tricky query, but who would Matilda marry? Who’s adequate for Matilda? Matilda’s such an awesome character that I can’t imagine who she would marry and have kids with, you realize,” the actress asked the audience.
She continued to say that she was once bothered by her association with the character. The previous child actress appeared in several movies, including “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Miracle on thirty fourth Street,” and “A Time to Heal,” but for some reason, many discover her with Matilda and even call her by her character’s name.
Wilson got here to understand it through the years, saying, “You recognize, Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia, she said, ‘I feel like me and Princess Leia have sort of merged through the years.’ And I kind of feel like that too,” she said.
Danny DeVito Expressed His Desire For A Sequel
DeVito, who produced, directed, and co-starred in “Matilda,” voiced his desire to do a sequel in 2019. “I all the time desired to do Matilda 2, but when the child was still a child,” the actor said. Nevertheless, he noted that the thought was about 20 to 25 years old. “Perhaps Matilda has a child and we are able to do something that, I don’t know,” he said, per Comicbook.
In 2025, DeVito shared why he decided to bring Dahl’s story to the large screen. “I desired to capture that Roald Dahl magic… that balance of dark and light-weight, where even within the bleakest moments, there’s hope and humor,” he explained.
The actor was capable of revisit “Matilda” through “Matilda in Concert,” an orchestral screening of the movie. DeVito was heavily involved within the production and said it was a way of introducing latest audiences to the decades-old movie. “It brings the story to life in a way that’s each fresh and deeply nostalgic,” he told The Globe and Mail.
Mara Wilson And Danny DeVito Share A Deep Bond
Wilson has fond memories of working on “Matilda,” especially the support she received from DeVito, whom she calls her “favorite uncle.”
Through the Fanboy Expo panel, the actress debunked a long-running rumor that the veteran actor legally adopted her. “Danny DeVito didn’t literally adopt me. That’s a myth. But he did take excellent care of my family,” she shared.
Wilson was 8 years old on the time of filming, and her mother was battling breast cancer. She died before the movie’s theatrical release, and the director dedicated the film in her honor. The actress sought comfort in DeVito and Perlman, sharing that they’ve develop into her “lifelong friends.”
“There have been hard days, but there have been also days where it felt like summer camp, and I’m still friends with the those who I worked on it today,” said Wilson.
‘Matilda’ Grew Into A Beloved Cult Favorite
“Matilda” was released in August 1996 and competed with other big movies akin to “Mission: Inconceivable,” “Independence Day,” and “Twister.” The family film was not a box office success, grossing only $47 million worldwide on a budget of $36 million.
Nevertheless, it found its audience through home videos and was heavily on rotation on cable TV. Through the years, “Matilda” developed a loyal cult following, with audiences embracing the heartfelt story and memorable characters. Today, it’s widely considered some of the beloved family movies of the ’90s and continues to resonate with each longtime fans and latest viewers.