Matilda 2 “Could Be Possible”, Says Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson, the star of 1996’s classic film Matilda, has discussed the possibility of a sequel as well as her experience portraying such a successful and recognised character. Matilda is based on the Roald Dahl children’s book of the same title, published in 1988 and centred on the titular lonely but gifted young girl who discovers she has psychokinetic abilities she can use to her advantage. The film adaptation was directed by Danny DeVito, who also appeared as Matilda’s disapproving father, with Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord sharing screenwriting credits.

Also featuring Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, and Pam Ferris, the film was a critical success, with critics and audiences appreciating its charming, comforting tone and well-rounded capturing of the original book’s spirit. 2010 saw the premiere of the musical adaptation, which was then adapted for the screen in 2022.

Speaking at Tennessee’s Fanboy Expo, Wilson approached the idea of a follow-up to her rendition of Dahl’s lovable, resilient character. “People always ask me about doing a Matilda 2,” the star shared. “And that could be possible.”

Wilson also addressed possible plot devices, such as her beloved character now having her own children, as well as her own objections and questions to such developments, stating, “But one thing that people always say is, ‘Oh, maybe it could be Matilda’s daughter.’ And I have some issues with that, because I think Matilda’s powers come from her adversity.”

“They come from the bad things that she went through, and the whole point is that she overcame these things,” she added. “And she found power in educating herself and in making friends with these people who were really lovely.”

Wilson did take a moment to emphasise that she doesn’t “…think Matilda would raise her daughter to be in a position where she developed those powers to protect herself,” and when throwing out the question of who would be Matilda’s husband and father of her child added, “Matilda’s such an awesome character that I can’t imagine who she would marry and have kids with, you know?”

The star, who took a step back from acting in 2000 following appearances in family comedies Mrs Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, A Simple Wish and Thomas and the Magic Railroad, revealed that she “used to be a little annoyed when people would call [her] Matilda”.

“I was like, ‘No, I’m Mara’”, Wilson shared. “It felt almost a little bit like being called by your sister’s name. “Your much cooler, smarter sister’s name,” which prompted the young star to feel she was “not as cool as [her character] is.”

Nonetheless, Wilson does have fond memories of and appreciation for the character and her powerful story, one that was a source of comfort and a beacon of hope for children who resonated with her isolation and her interest in books and knowledge, and who gained a headstrong, independent nature from a young age.

“I feel like Matilda has been a character that I looked up to, and Matilda would do things that I do. She would talk about mental health. She would talk about books. She would be working. She would be writing; she would be loving books and doing stuff for public libraries and things like that. And I do all of those things,” the actor concluded. “Those things are very important to me. So Matilda has really taught me a lot of good lessons. And I think I’ve become a lot like her in my own way.”

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