In September 2023, it was reported that
SBT intended to readapt the work
Meu Pé de Laranja Lima, which would be the fourth version of the aforementioned book. In addition to the Brazilian text, another work that had entered the broadcaster's radar was the Argentine soap opera
Patito feo, which would gain a remake in 2020 to replace
As Aventuras de Poliana, but was suspended due to the broadcaster's budget cuts, which were not going through a good financial moment when it began production in the second half of 2019, with the situation being aggravated by the
COVID-19 pandemic the following year. The plot also had similarities to the aforementioned title and was poorly regarded internally due to the scandal caused by actor Juan Darthés, who was arrested for
sexual abuse in 2019 after complaints from former castmates. However, the channel ended up internally discarding the remake of
Meu Pé de Laranja Lima and then studied creating a remake of
El diario de Daniela, a Mexican soap opera shown in the years 2000 and 2007. The plot was even confirmed by journalist Leão Lobo on December 23, 2023. However, SBT decided to readapt the book
The Secret Garden. In addition to the title of the book itself, the following provisional names were used:
Pequenos Gigantes,
Enfrentando Gigantes,
Anna e os Gigantes e
Anna e os Pequenos Gigantes. On March 11, 2024, SBT made the title
A Caverna Encantada official. The first teaser aired on May 26 during the commercial break of
Domingo Legal.
Casting The first names announced for the soap opera were
Carla Diaz, Joaquim Lopes and
Regina Duarte. However, only the first two auditioned for the work, while the third had her hiring discarded by the broadcaster, despite the same having made some attempts through invitations, but without success. Carla Diaz competed for the role of the adult protagonist alongside Anajú Dorigon, but the main role ended up going to
Isabela Souza, who was confirmed in the cast along with Miguel Coelho. To play the child protagonist, SBT bet on newcomer Mel Summers. The general cast was officialized on March 11, 2024, which also confirmed veterans Rosi Campos and Luíza Tomé, marking Rosi's return to the broadcaster after 34 years of her role in
Brasileiras e Brasileiros, while Tomé made her debut on the channel. == Broadcast ==