Netflix's animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Scrooge: A Christmas Carol" has gotten a trailer and a release date. The animated feature, which will premiere on the streamer on December 2, features the voice of Luke Evans ("Beauty and the Beast") as Scrooge, as well as Olivia Colman ("The Crown"), Jessie Buckley ("Men") and Jonathan Pryce (“The Crown”).
The animated film is described as a "time-traveling, supernatural musical adaptation of the definitive Christmas story," according to the synopsis. "With his very soul at stake, Scrooge has only one Christmas Eve left to confront his past and build a better future."
Director: Stephen Donnelly
Writers: Leslie Bricusse, Charles Dickens, Stephen Donnelly
Stars: Jessie Buckley, Luke Evans, Olivia Colman
There are dual economic reasons why theatergoers this winter will rarely be far from a version of A Christmas Carol. The dependable popularity of Dickens's 1843 story reassures theater accountants nervous about Covid box-office hits and the cost-of-living crisis, while writers and directors are drawn to the lasting resonance of the lament over the wealth inequality.
As a politically engaged playwright, David Edgar (Destiny, Maydays) is ideally suited to extracting the hard stones of the social campaign that Dickens hid within his seasonal gift. But with the Chancellor of the Exchequer playing Scrooge to reverse his predecessor's fear of markets, and old Ebenezer's rejection of charity and compassion seemingly as a model for the Home Secretary, Edgar's version bites even more than in its premiere in 2017 and its revival in 2018. Fighting to keep their children from starving, the Cratchits feel increasingly less fictional and historically distant.
The joy of the show, however, comes from the fluidity of Edgar's Donnish subtext (a framing device has Dickens outlining and improvising the story for his editor) and the lush visual spectacle of Rachel Kavanaugh's staging, which incorporates illusions (by Ben Hart and RSC Production Video) that includes a transformation that achieves a gasp of joy that coincides with the sudden jump of the audience in The Woman in Black.
Director Stephen Donnelly said of the project: “It has been a fascinating challenge to adapt a story so beloved and told so often. I think this version will give those who know 'A Christmas Carol' everything they expect, but not as they have experienced before. There are more than enough psychedelic, musical and time-travel surprises to keep those familiar with the story on the edge of their seats, while the authentic essence of Dickens has been preserved for those who come completely fresh to the classic story. I can't wait to share this new version of 'A Christmas Carol' with the world and sincerely hope that audiences embrace it this year and beyond."
The songs are produced, arranged and composed by Jeremy Holland-Smith with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol” is produced by Ralph Kamp, Leslie Bricusse and Andrew Pearce. Rebecca Kamp and Gareth Kamp co-produce.
Watch Scrooge: A Christmas Carol 2022 Movie Trailer
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