The first trailer for Ben Stiller’s highly anticipated remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has finally arrived, giving fans of the original film a look at how Stiller plans to update the timeless story of a daydreamer.
The two-minute trailer gives a short look at Stiller as the title character, a man who works at a magazine, but daydreams about being elsewhere during the day. He spots a woman played by Kristen Wiig and makes her a part of her dreams. He’s also the subject of ridicule from his co-workers, including one played by Parks and Recreation’s Adam Scott. Sean Penn also appears in the trailer.
Stiller has long dreamed of bringing Walter Mitty to the big screen and Samuel Goldwyn films has been trying to get a remake of the film off the ground for decades. The original film was made by Samuel Goldwyn and starred Danny Kaye as the title character. Both films are based on James Thurber’s 1939 story.
“It doesn't go into a typical direction,” Stiller said in an April interview with the LA Times. “It becomes a detective story...And he ends up being more connected to who he is at the end of the movie.”
Stiller also said at the time that he hopes his film will revive the character. “He has become this iconic character — a cultural icon — but a lot of moviegoers, especially under 40, have no idea who Walter Mitty is,” he said.
Walter Mitty opens on Christmas Day.