Anne Hathaway has joined Robert Zemeckis‘ (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future) upcoming film The Witches, an adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl story and a remake of the 1990 film. Deadline confirmed the news.

Hathaway will be assuming the role of Grand High Witch, which was played by Anjelica Huston in the 1990 film. The story will follow a young boy who goes on a trip with his grandmother and discovers a coven of witches who are plotting to turn every child into a mouse. Zemeckis’ adaptation will move the story to the 1960s gothic south and will remain more faithful to the Dahl novel than previous adaptations.

Zemeckis will be producing alongside Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro, and Jack Rapke of ImageMovers.

After Welcome to Marwen failed to perform in box offices and with critics, Zemeckis needs a win to prove that he can appeal to the new generations. The Witches is a great opportunity to do so, with a great lead actress already signed on and some fun source material to work with.