<P> Though Roald Dahl declined numerous offers during his lifetime to have a film version of James and the Giant Peach produced, his widow, Liccy Dahl, approved an offer to have a film adaptation produced in conjunction with Disney in the mid-1990s . It was directed by Henry Selick and produced by Denise Di Novi and Tim Burton, both of whom previously produced The Nightmare Before Christmas . The movie consists of live action and stop - motion to reduce production finances . It was narrated by Pete Postlethwaite (who also played the wizard). The film was released on 12 April 1996 . </P> <P> There are numerous changes in both the plot of the film and the plot of the book, though the film was generally well received . Liccy Dahl said that, "I think Roald would have been delighted with what they did with James ." Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a positive review, praising the animated part, but calling the live - action segments "crude ." The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score (by Randy Newman). It won Best Animated Feature Film at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival . In August 2016, Sam Mendes was revealed to be in negotiations with Disney to direct another live action adaptation of the novel . In May 2017, however, Mendes was no longer attached to the project due to him entering talks with Disney about directing a live - action film adaptation of Pinocchio . </P> <P> The book was made into a musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and book by Timothy Allen McDonald that premiered at Goodspeed Musicals in 2010 and is currently frequently produced in regional and youth theatre . </P> <Ul> <Li> ISBN 0 - 06 - 054272 - 1 (audio CD read by Jeremy Irons, 2003) </Li> <Li> ISBN 0 - 14 - 037156 - 7 (paperback, 1995) </Li> <Li> ISBN 1 - 55734 - 441 - 8 (paperback, 1994) </Li> <Li> ISBN 0 - 14 - 034269 - 9 (paperback, 1990) </Li> <Li> ISBN 0 - 553 - 15113 - 4 (Bantam Skylark paperback, 1980) </Li> <Li> ISBN 0 - 394 - 81282 - 4 (hardcover, 1961) </Li> <Li> ISBN 978 - 0 - 394 - 91282 - 0 (library binding, 1961) </Li> </Ul>

Who plays the worm in james and the giant peach