With the film adaptation of the nostalgic children’s book hitting theaters this month, the cast spoke to Fox News about bringing their imaginations to life.
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” is a story written by Crockett Johnson that was first published in 1955. It is about a young boy who embarks on imaginative adventures that take place at night.
In the 2024 film, actor Zachary Levi travels from the world of imagination to reality with his trusty purple crayon in hand.
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Levy told Fox News that his character represents an “infectious light” who has “nothing but optimism, positivity and joy.”
This becomes an issue when his character enters the real world and is “forced to deal with all the negativity,” he said.
From left, Brazilian director Carlos Saldanha, actors Lil Rel Howery, Zooey Deschanel, Benjamin Issa Bottani and Zachary Levi, “The Purple Crayon,” attend a screening of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” on July 21, 2024 in Culver City, California. (Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images)
Actress Zooey Deschanel, who plays the character Terri, told Fox News that the film is a real-life version of one of her favorite childhood stories.
The stylist-turned-author says the book could inspire confidence in today’s kids: “They can do anything.”
“It’s a really sweet little story for young children, and now that we’ve turned it into a film, it’s something that anyone can enjoy,” she said.
Actor Lil Rel Howery plays a character called Moose and said the film is an example of limitless imagination.
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” was originally published as a children’s book in 1955. (Shannon Finney/Getty Images via Sony Pictures Entertainment)
“As parents, it’s often too real for our kids, so let them use their imagination as much as possible,” he told Fox News.
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The comedian and father of three stressed that an active imagination is “what keeps us functioning and creative.”
He continued, “I think the film does a good job of portraying both sides of that.”
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According to New York-based publisher HarperCollins, the original children’s book sees a young boy named Harold go on an evening stroll with an oversized purple crayon.
The cast of the film “Harold and the Purple Crayon” spoke about the importance of keeping children’s imaginations alive. (Getty Images)
According to HarperCollins, after creating this exciting world, he will travel the world with his crayons in hand before retiring to bed.
This classic work has subsequently spawned spin-offs featuring the character of Harold.
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Harold and the Purple Crayon, directed by Carlos Saldaña, is now in theaters.
