Steven Spielberg has found his Sophie. Today Dreamworks announced that newcomer Ruby Barnhill has landed the lead role in the filmmaker’s upcoming adaptation of Roald Dahl's story The BFG.

As it turns out, BFG actually stands for "Big Friendly Giant" and the movie is about a young girl named Sophie who meets a mysterious giant who takes her to Giant Country. The story was published in 1982 and went on to become one of Dahl’s most beloved tales. Barnhill will be joined by Mark Rylance, who tackles the role of the title character. Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on the family-friendly hit E.T., has written the screenplay, which makes sense since the two stories have a lot in common -- both following young children who befriend fantastical creatures.

The 10-year-old Barnhill has been acting for two years and this is her first feature-film leading role. Said Spielberg: “After a lengthy search, I feel Roald Dahl himself would have found Ruby every bit as marvelous as we do. We have discovered a wonderful Sophie in Ruby Barnhill.”

The BFG is set to start production in early 2015 with an eye toward a July 1, 2016 debut. Disney will distribute the film in North America and some international markets.