The School for Good and Evil (film)

In 2011, a film adaptation based on The School for Good and Evil series had reportedly been considered by studios.[33][34] Shortly after the publication of the first book of the series, Roth Films partnered with Jane Startz Productions to acquire rights to produce a film based on the book.[35] Universal Pictures won the auction in a seven-figure deal for book and scriptwriting fees. Roth, Startz and Palak Patel were appointed producers and Chainani and Malia Scotch Marmo were recruited to write the screenplay, though the former was only writing the initial two drafts.[36][37][38] In July 2015, Chainani stated he and Marmo finished writing the script.[39]

After the film languished in development hell,[34] Netflix purchased the rights in 2017 with a new team that included David Magee and Laura Solon as screenwriters.[38] In 2020, Paul Feig joined as director and other crew members were disclosed: Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Startz, Laura Fischer and Feig as producers; and Zack Roth, Patricia Riggens and Chainani as executive producers.[7][38] Feig, who assisted with writing the script, stated "once you direct things that you write, ... you almost write like you're in the editing room". When the studio or producers requested that a certain thing be explained in the script and the writers suggested including it using dialogue, Feig knew that it was unneeded as "once you see two people ... looking at each other in that emotion, you just feel it"; they retained the lines, however, in case audiences during test screenings did not understand that part.[28]

Fiona Weir was appointed casting director.[40] On November 6, 2020, Weir opened casting for a "teenage girl with albinism".[41] Feig made note to select actors who are talented, nice, and cooperative;[28] Chainani stated assignment of parts was based on talent, not looks, with characters reinterpreted to "make sure the spirit of the character is best embodied in that particular actor".[42] Many fans desired open casting; in response, Chainani stated there would be certain parts that may require "intense open casting" while with others, "the most talented actor who fits perfectly" can be found easily.[43] Most casting announcements were made by Feig via Twitter. On December 18, 2020, Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie had been cast as the leads in the film.[44][45] When casting these roles, the crew explored the world for "two young actors who have enough weight to them and enough gravitas but also can muster up the likeness".[43] On February 19, 2021, Kerry Washington and Charlize Theron were announced to both play supporting roles in the film.[46][47] On March 12, 2021, Laurence Fishburne and Michelle Yeoh were cast as the School Master and Professor Emma Anemone respectively.[48][49] On March 19, 2021, Jamie Flatters joined the cast as Tedros as well as Kit Young as Rafal.[50] On March 24, 2021, Earl Cave was announced to be playing Hort.[51] On June 9, 2021, Netflix Geeked announced Freya Theodora Parks, Demi Isaac Oviawe and Kaitlyn Akinpelumi had been cast as Hester, Anadil and Dot respectively.[52][53]

Reneé Kalfus and Feig designed the costumes. Unlike the books, the film will not depict the students wearing uniforms, allowing, according to Chainani, more creativity.[28] Designer Dylan McCaughtry helped make, build, and construct sets and props, with Andy Nicholson as production designer.[54][42] Due to Feig's dislike of green screens, much of the scenery was physically built, including the Schools for Good and Evil.[55] Characters such as the wolves and fairies were animatronic.[28] The film was shot at several locations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, including Belfast Harbour Studios, where the full 125,000 sq ft of the studio, workshop and office space was used,[56][57] and Loop Film Studios.[58][59][60] Local sites The School for Good and Evil was filmed at include St Peter's Church,[61] St Anne's Cathedral, Mount Stewart, Ulster Folk Museum, Clandeboye Estate, Big Dog Forest, Woodburn Forest, and Castle Archdale.[5] Derry was also considered as a filming location but was rejected for numerous reasons.[62][63] Production was estimated to take approximately four to seven months, following the British Film Commission safe working protocols, such as Feig always wearing a mask.[28][64][65] In January 2021, it was reported filming had begun.[66] However, Chainani stated filming would begin in April 2021.[9][38] Roughly 350 to 500 crew members worked on The School for Good and Evil, the majority of whom were locals.[67][68] Artist Robinson, who had previously worked with Feig, served as first assistant director,[69] while John Schwartzman was employed as cinematographer.[5] In May 2021, filming wrapped for Washington and Theron.[70][71][72] According to Chainani, filming wrapped on July 3 or 4; Feig, however, needed to shoot another scene, which had been filmed by the end of July 2021.[34][73][74] The film is expected to generate £30 million for the economy of Northern Ireland.[75]

After the film wrapped, Feig began editing for at least ten hours a day, aiming for the special effects to look "real".[28]