David Walliams dreams of his books becoming a blockbuster movie

David Walliams is setting his sights on Hollywood and says his dream would be to have one of his books turned into a blockbuster or to write a screenplay.

“I would love one of my books being adapted into a movie or I write something original or adapt something,” the children’s author, 51, told the Standard.

“There’s something really glamorous about the movie world, it’s exciting. It’s just an amazing world to be part of and if you make a great movie it can last forever,” he added.

“I watch Star Wars with my son. I first watched it when I was six, I couldn’t wait to show it to him and I’m sure one day if he has children, he’ll show it to them as well. It’s just one of those things, isn’t it, that’s going to go on forever.”

Walliams, whose books include Awful Auntie, Gangsta Granny and latest release Spaceboy, revealed his ambition as a new theatre adaptation of Demon Dentist arrived at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre this week.

“I like that my books can exist in lots of different forms,” he said. “Some are being developed as TV movies, quite a few have been on stage, some are musicals and one has even inspired a ride at Alton Towers. It’s amazing that any of these things have happened, I’ve got to keep pinching myself and remember that all of this is magic.

“It’s good to do things that are a surprise and a challenge because when you really feel tested is when you do something out of your comfort zone,” the Britain’s Got Talent judge said.

“I’ve been writing children’s books for about 14 years and been on BGT for 10 years now, so I feel like I am ready for some new challenges for sure.”

Demon Dentist is at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday before heading to the Bloomsbury Theatre from December 15 to January 8, 2023. birminghamstage.com