‘The Magic School Bus’ Movie Cast This Huge Star as Ms. Frizzle

Another generation of kids is getting their own Ms. Frizzle. As reported by Variety, Elizabeth Banks has been cast as Ms. Frizzle in an upcoming live-action Magic School Bus movie. Hopefully, she is practicing her “Wahoo!” as we speak. 

In addition to starring as Ms. Frizzle, Banks will be a producer on the film. Similarly, Banks produced and starred in the Pitch Perfect movies—and directed the second one—and in Charlie’s Angels, which she also wrote and directed. 

In a statement to Variety, Iole Lucchese, Scholastic Entertainment president and chief strategy officer, said, “We are delighted to bring to life the iconic Ms. Frizzle and her zest for knowledge and adventure in a fresh new way that inspires the next generation of kids to explore science and supports the dedicated teachers who help make science real and accessible for young learners every day.”

Okay, so we know this is for kids, but we adults must watch The Magic School Bus movie for nostalgia and Elizabeth Banks purposes, too. 

Banks follows in the footsteps of Lily Tomlin, who voiced the science-loving teacher on the animated series The Magic School Bus from 1994 to 1997. The PBS show was based on the Scholastic children’s book series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen about a group of students, their wacky teacher, and the educational adventures they went on courtesy of a shape-shifting bus. The series went on to be adapted into several video games. (Anyone else remember the outer space one?) In 2017, the show was revived as The Magic School Bus Rides Again on Netflix, which starred Kate McKinnon as Fiona Frizzle, Ms. Frizzle’s younger sister. 

There’s no word yet on when the new film will be released or about any of the other casting. But with Ms. Frizzle ready to go, now we just need about 10 kid actors, a CGI lizard, and a CGI bus. Easy!