Thirty years after the release of the beloved film adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda," actress Mara Wilson has indicated that a sequel is a possibility but admitted she is unsure how such a film could logically be constructed. Wilson, who starred as the titular child prodigy in the 1996 film directed by Danny DeVito, discussed the prospect of "Matilda 2" at a recent Fanboy Expo in Tennessee.
While acknowledging that a sequel could happen, Wilson, now 38, raised concerns about how to translate the core narrative of her character's struggles into a new story. A common suggestion, she noted, is a plot centered on Matilda's own daughter. However, Wilson believes this approach presents a significant challenge.
"I think Matilda’s powers come from her adversity," Wilson explained. "They come from the bad things that she went through, and the whole point is that she overcame these things. And she found power in educating herself and in making friends with these people who were really lovely. And so I don’t think Matilda would raise her daughter to be in a position where she developed those powers to protect herself."
Beyond the thematic implications of power stemming from hardship, Wilson also pointed to more practical narrative questions, such as the identity of a potential partner for Matilda. "Who’s good enough for Matilda?" she mused. "Matilda’s such an awesome character that I can’t imagine who she would marry and have kids with, you know?"
Wilson's comments come as discussions around AI and its impact on creative industries continue. Last year, she was vocal in her criticism of AI "actresses," condemning the use of young women's likenesses without consent and calling such practices an act of identity theft.