Wonder
Theatrical release poster
Directed byStephen Chbosky
Screenplay by
Based onWonder
by R. J. Palacio
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDon Burgess
Edited byMark Livolsi
Music byMarcelo Zarvos
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release dates
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million[2]
Box office$306.2 million[3]

Wonder is a 2017 American coming-of-age family drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky, who co-wrote the screenplay with Steven Conrad and Jack Thorne. It is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by R. J. Palacio and stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Mandy Patinkin and Daveed Diggs.

The film, which follows a boy named August Pullman with Treacher Collins syndrome trying to fit in, was released in the United States on November 17, 2017 by Lionsgate. It received positive reviews from critics and audiences, with many praising Tremblay and Roberts' performances, Chbosky's direction, writing, musical score and faithfulness to Palacio's novel of the same name; the film was a box office success, grossing $306 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. At the 90th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. A spin-off and prequel film, White Bird, will release in October 4, 2024, with Bryce Gheisar reprising his role.

Plot

August "Auggie" Pullman is a 10-year-old boy living in Brooklyn with his mother Isabel, father Nate, older sister Via, and dog Daisy. He was born with a rare facial deformity "mandibulofacial dysostosis", and has undergone 27 different surgeries in order to help him function. As a result, Auggie wears an astronaut helmet when he is out in public. For much of his life, Auggie has been homeschooled, but as he approaches fifth grade, his parents decide to enroll him in Beecher Prep, a private middle school with the kind Mr. Tushman as its principal. When school starts, Auggie is ostracized, but soon forms a close friendship with his classmate, Jack Will.

For Halloween, Auggie dresses in a Ghostface mask and cloak from the previous year when Daisy accidentally vomits on the Boba Fett costume he was planning to wear. Auggie walks through school upbeat and confident due to the anonymity his costume affords him. However, as he enters his homeroom, he overhears Jack, who fails to recognize him, joining Julian Albans and his friends, who ostracized Auggie, in making fun of him behind his back, saying he would kill himself if he looked like Auggie. Becoming distraught and ill, his mother abandons her mother-daughter day with Via to bring Auggie home. Though she is hurt, Via convinces him to go trick-or-treating with her, as she has been rejected by her best friend Miranda.

Auggie forms a new friendship with a girl named Summer Dawson, confiding in her about his split with Jack. When Jack asks Summer why Auggie is avoiding him, she only gives Jack the clue "Ghostface". In science class, Jack realizes his mistake, and he resolves to partner with Auggie instead of Julian for the science fair. When Julian confronts Jack in the hallway and calls Auggie a "freak", they begin fighting, which is broken up by Mr. Browne and another teacher. After suspending Jack for two days, Mr. Tushman reads Jack's letter about defending Auggie. Jack apologizes to Auggie during a Minecraft session and they reconcile.

Meanwhile, Via, even though she loves her family, has been feeling neglected and that her parents tend to spend more time looking after Auggie since he was born. She signs up for Drama Club after meeting a theater student named Justin, with whom she soon begins a romantic relationship. Via is selected as Miranda's understudy for the lead role in the school's production of Our Town, but on opening night, when Justin tells Miranda that Via's family is in attendance after she tells him that her family is not, Miranda feigns illness to let Via take her place. Via gives a moving performance that earns her acclaim from the crowd, and she and Miranda reconcile.

Auggie's popularity and circle of friends grow bigger over time, but he continues to be harassed by Julian and his friends until Mr. Browne notices. Mr. Tushman later confronts Julian and his parents with evidence that includes derogatory notes and a class picture with Auggie photoshopped out. Julian's mother admits that she edited the picture and asserts that the students should not be exposed to Auggie. Mr. Tushman suspends Julian for two days, and his parents decide to pull him out of the school.

At the nature retreat, Auggie and Jack are ambushed by a trio of seventh graders from another school, but Julian's friends, Amos, Miles, and Henry, rally and defend them. Auggie then becomes more accepted by his classmates. His father tells him he took his astronaut helmet to his office and asks Auggie if he wants it back, but he declines, feeling he no longer needs it. At the year-end graduation ceremony, Auggie thanks his mother for taking him to school. She tells him, "You really are a wonder, Auggie." Auggie is given the Henry Ward Beecher Medal by Mr. Tushman for his strength and courage at the end of the ceremony.

Cast

Production

Development

On November 27, 2012, it was announced that Lionsgate was developing a feature film adaptation of R. J. Palacio's debut novel Wonder, and were in talks with John August to write the screenplay.[4] Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman produced the film.[4]

On May 8, 2013, Jack Thorne was hired to adapt the novel after August had departed from the project.[5] In October 2014, John Krokidas was reported to be directing the film,[6] though in April 2015, Paul King was hired to direct instead. Steven Conrad was writing the script at that time.[7]

Casting

On April 14, 2016, Jacob Tremblay was cast to play the lead role, Auggie Pullman, while Julia Roberts was in talks to play Auggie's mother.[8] On May 5, 2016, Roberts' casting was confirmed, and Stephen Chbosky was set as the film's director.[9]

On June 27, 2016, Owen Wilson joined to play Auggie's father.[10] On July 11, 2016, newcomer Noah Jupe joined the cast as Auggie's best friend at school,[11] and on July 15, 2016, Daveed Diggs was cast as Mr. Browne, an English teacher at the school.[12]

On August 19, 2016, Sônia Braga joined the cast, portraying the role of Roberts's character's mother.[13]

Special effects

Tremblay's prosthetic makeup, designed and created by Arjen Tuiten, took an hour and a half to apply. It consisted of a skull cap with prosthetic ears attached, a facial prosthetic that covered Tremblay's face, and a wig to tie it all together.[14]

Filming

Filming took place in several locations in British Columbia, Canada, and Coney Island, New York, from October 18 to December 13, 2016.

Music

Marcelo Zarvos composed the film's score.[15] Bea Miller composed a song for the film, "Brand New Eyes". It was released on August 3, 2017. Wonder author R. J. Palacio has often credited Natalie Merchant's song "Wonder", from her 1995 album Tigerlily, as the inspiration for her best-selling book. At Merchant's invitation, the song was featured on the soundtrack. The song is played during the film's end credits.[16]

Release

Lionsgate had initially scheduled Wonder to be released in the United States on April 7, 2017.[17][18] On February 13, 2017, it was announced that the release date had been pushed back to November 17, 2017.[19] Wonder had its world premiere at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles on November 14, 2017.[20]

Reception

Box office

Wonder grossed $132 million in the United States and Canada, and $173 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $306 million, against a production budget of $20 million.[3] Deadline Hollywood calculated the film made a net profit of $55.3 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.[21]

In the United States and Canada, Wonder opened alongside Justice League, The Star, and Roman J. Israel, Esq. and was initially projected to gross around $9 million from 3,096 theaters in its first weekend.[22] However, after grossing $740,000 from Thursday night previews and receiving a large number of group ticket sales, weekend projections were upped to $15 million.[23] Weekend projections were again increased, this time to $28 million, after the film made $9.4 million on its first day. The film went on to debut to $27.1 million, finishing second at the box office, behind Justice League.[24] In its second weekend, the film dropped just 17.7%, grossing $22.7 million and finishing third at the box office.[25]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 85% based on 192 reviews, and an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Wonder doesn't shy away from its bestselling source material's sentiment, but this well-acted and overall winsome drama earns its tugs at the heartstrings."[26] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[27] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale, one of approximately 100 films in the history of the service to receive the grade.[24]

Some reviewers criticized the decision to cast an actor without the same condition as Auggie as undermining the film's message.[28][29] In August 2021, during Edinburgh TV Festival's MacTaggart Lecture, co-writer Jack Thorne, while not specifically citing Wonder, acknowledged that he had failed to stand up for disabled talent on projects involving the subject, and sought to rectify this through pushing for new disability initiatives like 'Underlying Health Condition', which launched in December 2021.[30]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards February 5, 2018 Best Intergenerational Film Wonder Nominated [31]
Readers' Choice Poll Wonder Nominated
Academy Awards March 4, 2018 Best Makeup and Hairstyling Arjen Tuiten Nominated [32]
British Academy Film Awards February 18, 2018 Best Makeup and Hair Naomi Bakstad, Robert Pandini and Arjen Tuiten Nominated [33]
Casting Society of America January 18, 2018 Big Budget – Comedy Deborah Aquila, Kara Eide, Tricia Wood and Kris Woz Nominated [34]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 11, 2018 Best Young Actor/Actress Jacob Tremblay Nominated [35]
Best Adapted Screenplay Jack Thorne, Steve Conrad and Stephen Chbosky Nominated
Best Hair & Makeup Wonder Nominated
Heartland Film Festival December 31, 2017 Truly Moving Picture Award Stephen Chbosky Won [36]
Hochi Film Award December 18, 2018 Best International Picture Stephen Chbosky Won [37]
London Film Critics Circle January 28, 2018 Young British/Irish Performer of the Year Noah Jupe Nominated [38]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild February 24, 2018 Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Makeup Naomi Bakstad, Jean Black and Megan Harkness Nominated [39]
Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Hair Styling Robert Pandini and Alisa Macmillan Nominated
Feature Motion Picture: Best Special Makeup Effects Michael Nickiforek and Arjen Tuiten Nominated
Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Hair Styling Robert Pandini and Alisa Macmillan Nominated
Feature Motion Picture: Best Special Makeup Effects Michael Nickiforek and Arjen Tuiten Nominated
Saturn Awards June 27, 2018 Best Performance by a Younger Actor Jacob Tremblay Nominated [40]
Best Make-up Arjen Tuiten Nominated
Best Independent Film Wonder Won
Seattle Film Critics Society December 18, 2017 Best Youth Performance Jacob Tremblay Nominated [41]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 8, 2017 Best Youth Performance Jacob Tremblay Nominated [42]
Women Film Critics Circle December 17, 2017 Best Family Film Wonder Nominated [43]
[44]
Teen Choice Awards August 12, 2018 Choice Drama Wonder Nominated [45]
Choice Drama Actor Jacob Tremblay Nominated
Choice Drama Actress Julia Roberts Nominated

Follow-ups

Sequel/prequel film

White Bird: A Wonder Story, a spin-off sequel/prequel war drama film to Wonder based on R. J. Palacio's graphic novel of the same name, starring Gillian Anderson and Helen Mirren, with Bryce Gheisar reprising his role as Julian Albans, began production in February 2021 in the Czech Republic.[46] Described as a "companion piece" to the original film,[47] the film follows Julian as his Parisian grandmother tells him stories of her childhood as a young Jewish girl living in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, when she was hidden from the Nazis by a classmate and his family. Initially scheduled to be released on September 16, 2022,[48] the film's release date was ultimately delayed to October 14, 2022[49] before the film was removed from the release schedule in September,[50] and actual sole delayed to August 2023 release.[51]

Musical adaptation

It was announced on April 9, 2019 that a musical adaptation of the film is in the works for Broadway. Jill Furman (Hamilton) will produce, R. J. Palacio will adapt the novel for the stage production.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Film releases". Variety Insight. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Will 'Justice League' Perform Like 'Wonder Woman' or 'Suicide Squad' at the Box Office?". TheWrap. November 14, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Wonder (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Sneider, Jeff (November 26, 2012). "Lionsgate lining up John August to adapt 'Wonder'". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  5. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 8, 2013). "Lionsgate Taps Jack Thorne To Adapt R.J. Palacio Novel 'Wonder'". Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  6. ↑ Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (October 7, 2014). "'Kill Your Darlings' Director to Helm YA Adaptation 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  7. ↑ Kit, Borys (April 23, 2015). "'Paddington' Director Books Lionsgate's YA Adaptation 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  8. ↑ Geier, Thom (April 14, 2016). "'Room' Star Jacob Tremblay in Talks for Lionsgate's 'Wonder'". TheWrap. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  9. ↑ Kit, Borys; Ford, Rebecca (May 5, 2016). "Julia Roberts to Play Jacob Tremblay's Mother in 'Wonder'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  10. ↑ Kroll, Justin (June 27, 2016). "Owen Wilson to Co-Star With Julia Roberts in 'Wonder' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  11. ↑ Kit, Borys (July 11, 2016). "'Night Manager' Actor Joins Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay in 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  12. ↑ Lincoln, Ross A. (July 15, 2016). "Tony Winner Daveed Diggs Joins Lionsgate's 'Wonder' In First Post-'Hamilton' Film Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  13. ↑ Kit, Borys (August 19, 2016). "Sonia Braga Playing Julia Roberts' Mother in 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ Giardiana, Carolyn (12 January 2018). "'Wonder': Jacob Tremblay's 90-Minute Makeover Involved Custom Teeth and Full Facial Prosthetics". Hollywood Reported. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved Sep 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Marcelo Zarvos to Score Steven Chbsoky's 'Wonder'". FilmMusicReporter. January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Wonder the Film". Natalie Merchant. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay's Wonder gets spring 2017 release date". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. June 8, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  18. ↑ "First Look! Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay Will Melt Your Heart in Wonder". People. August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Julia Roberts' Drama 'Wonder' Pushed to November". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  20. ↑ Saval, Malina (November 15, 2017). "'Wonder' Premiere Celebrates Book's Six-Year Journey to Big Screen, 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Actor' Jacob Tremblay". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  21. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 29, 2018). "Small Movies, Big Profits: 2017 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  22. ↑ Anita Busch (November 14, 2017). "The Tale Of Two Films: Walden Media's 'The Star' & 'Wonder' Bow On Same Day".
  23. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 17, 2017). "'Justice League' Powers To $13M Thursday Night; Beats 'Wonder Woman' – Friday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  24. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 18, 2017). "'Justice League' Encounters Kryptonite At The B.O. With $93M+ Opening: Why The DC Movie Weakened". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  25. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 26, 2017). "Thanksgiving B.O. At $268M, +3% Over 2016 Spurred By 'Coco' & Holdovers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Wonder (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Wonder reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  28. ↑ Henley, Ariel (9 August 2017). "What "Wonder" Gets Wrong About Disfigurement and Craniofacial Disorders". TeenVogue. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  29. ↑ Barack, Lauren. "Critics Question the Representation of Disability in 'Wonder'". School Library Journal. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  30. ↑ MacTaggart Lecture: Jack Thorne | Edinburgh TV Festival 2021, retrieved 2021-09-02
  31. ↑ Lee, Ashley (January 17, 2018). "AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards: 'The Post' Leads Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Oscars: 'Shape of Water' Leads With 13 Noms". The Hollywood Reporter. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  33. ↑ Ritman, Alex (January 8, 2018). "BAFTA Awards: 'Shape of Water,' 'Three Billboards,' 'Darkest Hour' Lead Pack of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  34. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (January 2, 2018). "Artios Awards: Casting Society Reveals Film Nominees (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Shape of Water' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Truly Moving Picture Award". Heartland film. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  37. ↑ "作品賞・海外部門「ワンダー 君は太陽」配給のキノフィルムズ・武部由実子社長「今後も精進して参りたいと思います」…報知映画賞表彰式". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). December 19, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  38. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (December 19, 2017). "'Three Billboards' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Award Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  39. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (January 5, 2018). "Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards: 'Darkest Hour,' 'Wonder' Lead Feature Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  40. ↑ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Blade Runner 2049 Leads the 2017 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". Seattle Film Critics Society. 11 December 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  42. ↑ "The 2017 WAFCA Awards". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  43. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 12, 2017). "The 2017 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Nominations". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  44. ↑ Benardello, Karen (December 23, 2017). "The Women Film Critics Circle Awards 2017's Best Movies". Shockya.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  45. ↑ Douglas, Esme. "Teen Choice Awards 2018: See the full list of winners". EW. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  46. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (February 25, 2021). "Helen Mirren Joins Gillian Anderson In Lionsgate's 'White Bird: A Wonder Story'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  47. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (February 4, 2021). "Gillian Anderson To Star In Lionsgate's 'White Bird: A Wonder Story', Czech Shoot To Begin This Month". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  48. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 28, 2021). "Lionsgate Dates Samuel L. Jackson's 'The Protege', Jennifer Lopez's 'Shotgun Wedding' & 'White Bird: A Wonder Story'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  49. ↑ "'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Set for September Release by Lionsgate". 2022-01-31. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
  50. ↑ "Long Range Box Office Forecast: Halloween Ends, Plus Don't Worry Darling and Avatar Updates". Boxoffice. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  51. ↑ Watson, Madalyn (January 20, 2023). "'White Bird: A Wonder Story' Sets Summer Release Date". Collider. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
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