4 Things I would Love to See in Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time was published in 1962 by Madeline L’Engle. It has since gone to win the John Newbery award and has been adapted into a Disney film which will be released in theaters next Friday. Click here to see: A Wrinkle in Time trailer

I love the book A Wrinkle in Time. I love the relatable characters, the imaginative settings, the incredibly creative worldbuilding, the fight between good and evil. I could go on and on. Next Friday, Disney’s adaption of the book will come out in theaters. This causes both excitement and apprehension for me. For devoted bibliophiles, there is always a sense of apprehension when a beloved book is adapted into film. We have a catchphrase that, “The book was better than the movie!” We fear that the plot and character we adore will succumb to Hollywood’s contortions, until they are scarcely recognizable from the original.

So here are 4 Things I Would Love to See in Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time.

1. Meg’s authenticity

I love Meg’s character. Many adolescents, including myself, relate to her insecurity, uncertainty, “awkwardness” and self-doubt. She feels weak and incapable, but overcomes her challenges to eventually save the day. It’s very inspirational to see a character who is uncertain and insecure, not only fight and overcome her own internal struggles, but also the external opposition she faces. I would also love to see the stark contrast between Meg’s and Calvin’s backgrounds. Meg has a terrible school life and a supportive family, while Calvin is a good student, popular, and a star athlete, but his family is aloof. They both feel alone and misunderstood. Yet, Calvin is always there for Meg, encouraging her and supporting her through thick and thin. I totally ship Megvin so I really hope Disney portrays the shy, innocent love between them.

2. Mrs. Who’s maxims

I love it when characters quote other people. Mrs. Who uses other people’s words to express herself in such an interesting way. (Another example of this is Oskar N. Reteep from the Wingfeather Saga.) Unfortunately, L’Engle’s use of Jesus’, Einstein’s, Buddha’s and Ghandhi’s sayings has been quite controversial, and has even led to the book’s banning. I hope Disney is brave enough to stay true to the book in this sense and use these maxims.

3. An accurate portrayal of Calvin

I just love Calvin. (Not to mention Meg + Calvin together!!! 😍) Calvin is gangly, redheaded, freckled, athletic, well-liked, but completely misunderstood. He gentlemanly and encouraging. From the very start, we can see he is quite taken with Meg, but he doesn’t try to rush the relationship or flirt with her. I really hope Disney stays true to the book’s portrayal of Calvin, a kind, sweet, simple-hearted boy, because A Wrinkle in Time wouldn’t be the same otherwise. Madeline L’Engle says that Calvin is “the boy that we all, all us girls want to meet. Not all of us are lucky enough to meet a Calvin, but I was. And I married mine.” * Wow. Need I say more?

4. Aunt Beast

I loved Aunt Beast’s role in A Wrinkle in Time as the wise, motherly being who essentially saves Meg and empowers her to go back to Camazotz. (That’s really all I can say without giving the book away!) I would love to hear the conversation between them about seeing.

‘“What is this dark? What is this light? . . . We do not understand what this means, to see.”

“Well, it’s what things look like,” Meg said helplessly.

“We do not know what things look like, as you say,” the beast said. “We know what things are like. It must be a very limited thing, this seeing.”’ **

This was such an interesting conversation that I would love to see in the movie.

Despite my hesitations about Disney turning one of my favorite books of all time into a movie, I really am looking forward to watching it and seeing what they have in store. Make sure you read or reread A Wrinkle in Time before heading to the theaters! And remember, there is such a thing as a tesseract. 😉

* L’Engle, Madeleine (2005). Interview: Madeleine L’Eng (DVD extra). Burbank, CA: Disney DVD.

** “Chapter 11: Aunt Beast.” A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, Square Fish, Farrar Straus Giroux, 2018, p. 181.