Melissa McCarthy to Star in ‘Miss Nelson Is Missing’ Adaptation for Netflix

Viola Swamp, one of literature’s most terrifying substitute teachers, is gearing up to make her cinematic debut. Netflix is in early development on “Miss Nelson Is Missing,” a live-action adaptation of the classic children’s book.

Melissa McCarthy will star in the film as Miss Nelson, the sweet teacher who “disappears” to teach her rowdy students a lesson in appreciation after she’s replaced by the ultra-strict substitute known as Miss Viola Swamp. Since — spoiler alert — Miss Nelson orchestrated her own absence to make the kids grateful for her in the first place, McCarthy is playing the hair-raising Miss Swamp as well.

Brad Copeland (“Spies in Disguise,” “Ferdinand”) is adapting the screenplay from the 1977 book written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall. Should “Miss Nelson Is Missing” find success on the streaming platform, the series has two sequels, “Miss Nelson Is Back” and “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day,” at the ready.

Reese Witherspoon will serve as a producer on “Miss Nelson Is Missing” through her company Hello Sunshine alone with Lauren Neustadter. Other producers on the film include McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone via On the Day Productions, Grey Matter’s Lawrence Grey and HarperCollins Productions’ Caroline Fraser.

McCarthy has previously worked with Netflix on movies such as “Superintelligence” and “Thunder Force.” Some of McCarthy’s more memorable films include “Bridesmaids,” “Spy” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” More recently, she played Ursula in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” remake and a Kellogg employee in Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tart origin story “Unfrosted.”

Deadline first reported the news of the adaptation.