HBO Max Launches 3-Part Animated Charlotte's Web Special Featuring Celebrity Voices

HBO Max has released a new three-part animated adaptation of E.B. White's classic novel Charlotte's Web, produced by Sesame Workshop and animated by Toronto's Guru Studios. The special, which premiered on October 2, explores the timeless story of friendship between Wilbur, a young pig, and Charlotte, a wise spider who vows to save him, while expanding on the book with deeper character backstories and fresh cultural themes. Showrunner and writer Luke Matheny aimed to create a definitive version of the story, with a 138-minute runtime allowing for more narrative depth and working closely with E.B. White's estate for authenticity. The star-studded voice cast includes Amy Adams as Charlotte, Elijah Wood as Adult Wilbur, Griffin Robert Faulkner as Young Wilbur, and Jean Smart as narrator, among others. The adaptation highlights themes of empathy, courage, and community, hoping to resonate with a new generation of families. This retelling has been described as heartfelt and faithful, combining modern animation techniques with the classic story's emotional impact.