The NeverEnding Story III
Third and final film in The NeverEnding Story franchise.
The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia (German: Die unendliche Geschichte III – Rettung aus Phantásien), also known as The NeverEnding Story III: Return to Fantasia, is a 1994 fantasy-adventure film directed by Peter MacDonald. It is the third and final film in the franchise, starring Jason James Richter as Bastian Balthazar Bux and featuring Jack Black in an early role as school bully Slip. The film was an international co-production between the United States and Germany and was a critical and commercial failure.
- Release year
- 1994
- Director
- Peter MacDonald
- Starring
- Jason James Richter, Jack Black
- Country
- United States, Germany
- Genre
- Fantasy-adventure
- Budget
- $25 million (announced)
- Box office (Germany)
- $5 million (by late December 1994)
Lore & Background
The film's production was motivated by the success of the previous two entries, which had collectively grossed $150 million worldwide. Principal photography began in August 1993, with filming taking place in Vancouver and Germany. Author Michael Ende had no involvement; producer Tim Hampton stated that the producers were 'clear and free to do what we want' with the rights. Peter MacDonald was not allowed to cut the film himself, with editing decisions made solely by the producers.
Reader's Guide
The NeverEnding Story III is notable as the final installment of the film trilogy based on Michael Ende's novel, though it introduced a new storyline and omitted the character Atreyu. It marked an early film role for Jack Black. The film received a limited U.S. release in 1996 by Miramax and has a 25% Rotten Tomatoes score based on three reviews. Its legacy is largely as a critical and commercial disappointment, with Variety calling it a 'charmless' reworking. The special creature effects were provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Did You Know?
- Jack Black appears in an early role as school bully Slip.
- The character Atreyu is absent from this film.
- Special creature effects were provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
- Author Michael Ende had no involvement with the film.
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