Octavia Spencer is in talks to join Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation of "The Witches." She wouldn't play a witch, but the resourceful grandmother of the main character, a 7-year-old boy who tries to take down a child-hating coven.

Newcomers Jahzir Bruno and Codie-Lei Eastick are in negotiations to play the 7-year-old and his friend, respectively.

Sources close to the production say the remake will be closer to the 1973 Roald Dahl novel than the 1990 film version directed by Nicolas Roeg.

Anne Hathaway has signed on to play the Grand High Witch, played in the 1990 film by Anjelica Huston.

Zemeckis is producing along with Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro wrote a previous draft of the script.

Spencer costarred in Del Toro's Oscar-winning "The Shape of Water." She'll also be back at the Oscars this year, having co-produced Best Picture nominee "Green Book."

[Via Variety]