Martin Sheen, J.K. Simmons Lead Cast of Animated ‘Boxcar Children: Surprise Island’

Dan Chuba and Mark Dippé will direct the first of three films based on Gertrude Chandler Warner’s best-selling children’s book series.
Martin Sheen and J.K. Simmons is leading the voice cast of The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island.

Dan Chuba and Mark Dippé are co-directing the animated adaptation from a screenplay written by Chuba.

Produced by Legacy Classics and co-produced by Shout! Factory, Albert Whitman & Company and Blueberry Pictures, Surprise Island is the first of three new animated features based on Gertrude Chandler Warner’s best-selling children’s book series, The Boxcar Children.

Sheen is voicing the role of James Alden, and Simmons will voice the role of Dr. Moore. The cast also includes Joey King as Jesse Alden, Carter Sand as Benny Alden, Gil Birmingham as Lonan Browning, Griffin Gluck as Henry Alden, Stephen Stanton as Capt. Daniel and Talitha Bateman as Violet.

The adaptation is expected to hit theaters in fall 2017.