Wimpy Kid Hits the Big Screen

Wimpy Kid Hits the Big Screen


TFK Kid Reporter Andrew Ravaschiere gets a sneak peek of Diary of a Wimpy Kid at the movie's red carpet premiere in New York City

By TFK Reporter Andrew Ravaschiere



If the phrase "cheese touch" makes you laugh out loud, then you are probably a fan of author Jeff Kinney's bestselling book Diary of a Wimpy Kid. "Cheese touch" is Kinney's update of the classic childhood scourge, cooties. Now the popular book about an underdog middle schooler has been brought to life on the big screen. It opens nationwide on March 19.

What's the Story?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid chronicles the struggles, ambitions and comic adventures of sixth grader Greg Heffley. The problems Greg faces are those of many middle school students: What do you have to do to be popular? What if your best friend isn't "cool"? How do you survive a tyrannical teacher, bullies and the kid who drove you crazy in elementary school?

Wimpy Kid star Zachary Gordon plays Greg in the movie. He explains his character's plight this way: "Greg is at the bottom of the food chain in middle school, but I think kids can relate to the way he deals with the situation."

So why didn't author Jeff Kinney write a book about a more popular youngster? "I wanted to write about a kid who was more like me as a kid—imperfect and a little self-centered," Kinney told TFK.

From Book to Big Screen

Turning a book into a film, especially a popular book such as Wimpy Kid, can be tricky. There is always the danger of disappointing the book's many fans. That's why Kinney worked closely with the film's four screenwriters to map out the plot of the movie. And the director, Thor Freudenthal, even animated Kinney's doodle-style illustrations for the movie.

"In the book, you can't get as connected to the stick figures," Kinney says. "In the movie, you really care about the relationship between Greg and [his best friend[ Rowley."

More than 800 middle schoolers attended Wimpy Kid's red carpet premiere in New York City earlier this month. Judging from their wild cheers and shouts of laughter, the movie is sure to be a hefty hit.

Max-I may really like the Wimpy Kid Series, and I have read all of the books. The star in this book, Greg, was been teased by his brother Rodrick, and some of the students in his school. He also has some fun things by going to camp, joining a soccer team or playing at an amusement park. Mostly, his vacation in winter or summer is very boring. Mostly, he watches TV or going to Rowley’s house to play video games. He also likes to draw some characters in comics, and one time when Rowley stole his idea and got famous in school, they almost fought! But really, books may be too boring, so these times some famous people made a movie version of Wimpy Kid! I think this movie will be good to see and more fun from the book!