Bridge to Terabithia came out in 2007. This American Fantasy Drama film is based on the novel of the same name by Katherine Paterson. The Bridge to Terabithia Cast consists of some of the most well-known faces one can come across. Some actors in crucial roles include Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Rob, Bailee Madison, Zooey Deschanel, and Robert Patrick. The scope of events in the 1997 novel has been inspired by the childhood of David Paterson (son of the author). David, in turn, teams up with Jeff Stockwell to write the screenplay of the film.
The film directed by Gábor Csupó turned out to be a huge success. With a budget of $20-25 Million, it grossed a staggering $137 million worldwide. Bridge to Terabithia has won 5 awards at the Annual Young Artist Awards and received positive reviews from critics. Let’s take a closer look at the film.
Bridge to Terabithia Cast
AnnaSophia Robb as Leslie Burke
Emerging as one of the best child actors, AnnaSophia has certainly made a name for herself, her first major breakthrough being Bridge to Terabithia. She is a model and singer. The song “Keep Your Mind Wide Open” by Robb ranked 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She plays the role of the city girl in the movie who loves to write and is full of imagination. She becomes best friends with Jess.
AnnaSophia Robb made her TV debut in 2004 playing the lead role of Samantha in An American Girl Holiday. In 2005, Robb made her film debut with Because of Winn-Dixie. Following through, she played a supporting character in the 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Jonny Depp. She has starred in further movies that include Race to the Witch Mountain, Soul Surfer, and The Way Back. She has since then become a household name thanks to the teen Drama TV series The Carrie Diaries.
Josh Hutcherson as Jesse Aarons
Much in the same fashion as AnnaSophia, Josh too has made a name for himself as a child actor. In Bridge to Terabithia, he plays the lead character by the name of Jess. Jess is an 11-year-old gifted artist who spends most of his time confiding in his art book. He becomes best friends with Leslie Burke.
Josh has been an actor since his childhood. Josh received his first-ever acting gig in the 2002 TV show called House Blend. Hutcherson made his film debut in 2003 with Miracle Dogs and has since then worked in The Polar Express (2004) and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). Further works include roles in Little Manhattan, Zathura: A Space Adventure, RV, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. In 2011 Josh bagged arguably his greatest role as Peeta in The Hunger Games movie series.
Josh has also worked as an executive producer in three films: Detention, The Forger, and Escobar: Paradise Lost.
Bailee Madison as May Belle Aarons – (Bridge to Terabithia cast)
Bailee plays the role of Jess’s younger sister in the film. Bridge to Terabithia in certain ways is a breakthrough for the actress. Madison has, since then starred in numerous notable films and series like Brothers, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Just Go with It, Parental Guidance, Cowgirls ‘n Angels, Northpole, The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018), and more recently in A Week Away (2021).
Madison has appeared in several TV shows including Wizards of Waverly Place, Once Upon a Time, Trophy Wife, Good Witch etc.
Zooey Deschanel as Ms. Edmund
A highly popular actress, Deschanel plays the role of Ms. Edmund, a music teacher at Lark Creek School. Jess has a major crush on Ms. Edmund and is solely attentive, particularly to her classes. Being supportive of Jess’s artistic endeavors. Ms. Edmund goes so far as to accompany him to an Art museum.
Over the years Deschanel has starred in some iconic roles. Zooey made her acting debut with the 1999 comedy film Mumford, following which she worked in films like Almost Famous, The Good Girl, The New Guy, Elf, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy, 500 Days of Summer, Yes Man, and so on.
Besides being an actor, Zooey is also a singer. She has performed at the Jazz Cabaret and further joined forces with M. Ward releasing six consecutive studio albums. She has received a Grammy Nomination for her song “So Long”.
Robert Patrick as Jack Aarons
Robert Patrick enacts the character of Jess’s father, one which constitutes into a strained relationship in the film. Patrick is one of the finest known actors out there, more so for his frequent portrayal of negative roles. He has a fine repertoire of respectable work in cinema and television under his belt. Patrick has worked in films like Die Hard 2, Fire in the Sky, Cop Land, The Faculty, Spy Kids, Ladder 49, Flags of Our Fathers, Safe House, and more.
His appearance in TV projects include The X-File, Scorpion, Peacemaker, The Outer Limits, The Sopranos, Elvis, Burn Notice, Last Resort, Sons of Anarchy, etc.
Bridge to Terabithia: Summary
Jesse Aarons or Jesse (as addressed by his family) is a talented artist who comes from an economically strained background. His parents work hard to acquire the basic amenities of life. He is the middle child of five and the only boy among them. Jess shares a troubled relationship with his father and stays quiet and reserved most of the time. For the most part, he stays entwined in the offerings of his art book. His life changes when he meets and befriends the new girl at his school, aka. Leslie Burke . Jesse takes part at a racing event in school for which he has practiced reasonably well. The new girl at school however, turns out to win putting all else to shame.
Leslie is an imaginative, enthusiastic, and passionate girl who loves adventure and offers meaning to Jess’s life. Jesse is initially skeptical of their friendship, but being next door neighbors does not exactly leave him with much choice.They start spending more time together running around, swinging on ropes as well as renovating an abandoned tree house. To cope with the hardships of being bullied and shared loneliness, they create the fictional of Terabithia as a respite. They pronounce themselves as king and queen of the mythical land filled with magical and otherworldly creatures.
The kids end up having majority of their adventures at Terabithia leading them closer to one another. Through the course of it, Jesse is livelier and happier than ever. However, as the children embark on discovering newer wonders, one of them meets with grave tragedy. This film portrays beautifully the essence of friendship, art, imagination, at being able to cope with the harshest realities of life.
