Steven Spielberg casts 10-year old newcomer as lead in adaptation of 'The BFG'

10-year-old newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as the young girl Sophie in Steven Spielberg's big-screen adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The BFG.

“After a lengthy search, I feel Roald Dahl himself would have found Ruby every bit as marvelous as we do,” Spielberg said in a statement. “We have discovered a wonderful Sophie in Ruby Barnhill.”

The original story, published in 1982, was about a young London girl and the mysterious giant who introduces her to the beauty and peril of Giant Country.

Dahl, who also penned James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, considered The BFG his personal favorite book that he wrote.

Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on E.T., wrote the screenplay. Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer will produce.

Steven Spielberg has previously launched the careers of numerous famous child actors, including Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale.