Mara Wilson reveals why Matilda 2 would never work
Mara Wilson has laid out her issues with the idea of a Matilda sequel.
Mara Wilson doesn't think a Matilda sequel could ever really work.
The 38-year-old actress, who played the title character in the 1996 classic, has responded after years of fans clamouring for a follow-up to the big screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's magical children's book.
However, she told fans during a panel at the Fanboy Expo Knoxville: "People always ask me about doing a Matilda 2. And that could be possible.
"But one thing that people always say is, ‘Oh, maybe it could be Matilda’s daughter.’
"And I have some issues with that, because I think Matilda’s powers come from her adversity. 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."
In the novel and film, Matilda is mistreated by her uncaring parents Harry and Zinnia Wormwood (Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman) and abusive headteacher Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris).
Wilson, who rose to fame with roles in Miracle on 34th Street and Mrs Doubtfire before Matilda, insisted there is another potential issue in figuring out a sequel.
She added: "Also, and this is a tricky question, but who would Matilda marry? Who's good enough for Matilda?
"Matilda's such an awesome character that I can't imagine who she would marry and have kids with, you know?"
Wilson knows the character inside out, and while she "used to be a little annoyed" by being constantly associated with Matilda, she has grown to embrace it.
She explained: "I feel like Matilda has been a character that I looked up to, and Matilda would do things that I do.
"She would talk about mental health. She would talk about books. She would be working. She would be writing, she would be loving books and doing stuff for public libraries and things like that.
"And I do all of those things. Those things are very important to me.
"So Matilda has really taught me a lot of good lessons. And I think I’ve become a lot like her in my own way."
