BREAKING: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes flight again today. The beloved flying car is back in the cultural fast lane, powered by Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, fresh stage revivals, and a brand new movie in active development. We can confirm that Amazon MGM Studios is developing a theatrical remake with Eon Productions attached, bringing the classic to a new generation.
The Spark, Dick Van Dyke at 100
A centennial this big does not just get candles, it gets a spotlight. Dick Van Dyke turned 100 today, December 13, 2025. The celebration has put his turn as Caractacus Potts right back in the center of the conversation. The timing is perfect. PBS just shined a light on his life and work with a new American Masters episode. A theatrical documentary, Dick Van Dyke, 100th Celebration, is rolling out this weekend. Both features revisit the magic of the 1968 film and the actor who made whimsy feel real.
Fans are revisiting the songs and the charm. They are remembering the inventor dad who believed in big ideas and silly machines. The story still feels warm and hopeful, which might be why it lands so hard today. It is joy you can hum.
Live Theater Keeps the Engine Warm
The stage musical is doing the steady work of keeping Chitty in the air. The UK and Ireland tour continues into early 2025, with new leads stepping in this spring. Ore Oduba takes on Caractacus Potts in March, with Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts. The show remains a family magnet, a bright night out that gives kids a first taste of spectacle. In Berkshire, the Watermill Theatre revival runs from late May through mid September, putting a fresh spin on the score and the sweet father, children, and car dynamic.
These productions are not nostalgia alone. They remind audiences how tightly built the bones are. The Sherman Brothers songs fill the room. The car reveals still pull gasps. And the villains, silly yet sharp, keep the stakes just right for kids and grown ups.
If you want to introduce younger kids to Chitty, the stage version is a perfect on ramp. The story is clear and the set pieces pop.
The Remake Is Rolling
We can confirm this today. A new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang feature is in early development at Amazon MGM Studios, with Eon Productions joining. The plan is theatrical. No writer, director, or cast has been set yet. Meetings are underway to define the vision, and to decide how to honor the original while speaking to now.
What should a modern Chitty carry forward, and what might evolve
- Keep the heart, a family story about belief, play, and bravery
- Protect the Sherman Brothers melodies, even if refreshed
- Let the car be a character, practical magic where it counts
- Update tone and pace, with smarter villains and bigger stakes
A careful reintroduction can do more than revive a title. It can hand kids a brand new dream, a car that flies on faith and tinkering. It can celebrate makers and imagination at a time when both feel precious.
There is no cast, shoot date, or release date yet. Expect key creative hires to drive the timeline.
The Celebrity Beat, Legacy in Motion
The centennial tributes have drawn out love from across film, TV, and theater. Co stars, Broadway favorites, and a new crop of stage leads are saluting Van Dyke’s mix of elastic comedy and open heart. In screenings and special events, you feel the ripple effect. Chitty shaped how many performers see family musicals, where danger is playful and kindness always wins.
The car has its own celebrity status too. Original screen vehicles remain some of the most recognizable props in movie history. Filmmakers still study those practical effects to understand why they feel so alive. That is the bar the remake now faces, and the opportunity. Build the wonder for real where possible, then let the modern tech lift it higher.
Why It Still Hits
The film worked because it made invention feel like love in action. Caractacus Potts could not buy magic, so he built some. That message, try, fail, fix, try again, feels even more current now. The villainy is cartoonish, but the bravery is not. Kids see a dad who listens. Parents see children who lead. Everyone leaves humming.
If the new film and the stage revivals hold onto that core, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is not just back. It is airborne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the news today
A: Dick Van Dyke turns 100 today, with new documentaries and events honoring his career. Stage productions are active, and we can confirm a new theatrical remake is in early development.
Q: Is the remake official
A: Yes, it is in early development at Amazon MGM Studios with Eon Productions attached. No writer, director, or cast has been announced.
Q: Where can I see it live
A: The UK and Ireland tour continues into early 2025, and the Watermill Theatre has a revival scheduled for summer 2025.
Q: Will Dick Van Dyke appear in the new film
A: There are no casting decisions yet. A cameo would thrill fans, but nothing is set.
Q: Do the classic songs return
A: The creative plan is still forming. Expect the Sherman Brothers’ music to be treated with care, whether preserved, rearranged, or expanded.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is not a memory today, it is momentum. With a centennial celebration, live theater roaring, and a big screen flight path forming, the world’s most charming car has the runway and the wind. Buckle up. ✨🚗
