Steven Spielberg’s long and storied career as a director had one noticeably missing partner — Disney. That changed with the announcement on Monday that Walt Disney Studios will co-produce and co-finance Spielberg’s “The BFG.”

    Set for a summer 2016 release, “The BFG” tells the story of a young girl who sets out with the titular* “Big Friendly Giant” to overcome evil, man-eating giants. The story is by Roald Dahl, author of “James and the Giant Peach” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

    Mark Rylance has been cast in the title role, with newcomer Ruby Barnhill playing Sophie, along with a platoon* of giants — Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Michael David Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes, Paul Moniz de Sa and Olafur Olaffsonnamed.

    While he has produced films in collaboration with Disney, Spielberg said he welcomes his first directing turn with the studio, “Together with them and Disney, there are many reasons why I am so excited about this joint venture.” Spielberg is teaming with Melissa Mathison, who last joined with him on “E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial.”(SD-Agencies)