Hooked on a new Neverland

AS A REIMAGINED TALE OF PETER PAN & WENDY ARRIVES ON DISNEY, ELLIE IORIZZO LEARNS HOW THE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN ADAPTED

JM Barrie's book of Peter Pan and Wendy introduced the world to the timeless story and its beloved characters back in 1911 before Disney's animated film in 1953 cemented the story's place in pop culture forever.

Disney's new live-action reimagining of the children's classic reflects the world we live in today with backstories explored and explained for the first time - including those of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, whose connection comes from arriving in Neverland together.

The film delves into Hook's decision to leave Neverland in the hope of finding his mother, a decision which Peter couldn't bear. We learn how a fight between friends became a bitter and complex war following Hook's return.

Hollywood actor Jude Law, who plays Captain Hook in this adaption, describes the script as a "great map" that gave him a chance to "really understand" the character and to "delve into his past and therefore understand what made him the villain, but [also] the man that he is in the story".

Jude, 50, a father-of-seven, says he was already a fan of the tale, explaining how he played Hook with his son for years "with a coat hanger and a wooden sword running around the living room" He adds that he was "particularly proud" of being part of a rendition of the Peter Pan story "that feels like it's respectful to the past, but it's very modern (and) true to now." 

Filmmaker David Lowery, who was convinced to take on the project after wrapping on the 2016 production of Pete's Dragon, says the emotional heart of the movie is rooted in motherhood.

"It is something that just comes naturally to me," he says.