The holiday season is nearer than you think! Netflix has unveiled the cast and some brand new images from Timeless Films (Monster Family, Rock Dog, Extinct) and director Stephen Donnelly’s (Prime Video’s Emmy-winning Lost in Oz) upcoming animated feature Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, due to premiere on the streamer in December.

The new reinterpretation of the yuletide classic stars Luke Evans (voice of Scrooge), Olivia Colman (Past), Jessie Buckley (Isabel Fezziwig), Johnny Flynn (Bob Cratchit), Fra Fee (Harry Huffam), Giles Terera (Tom Jenkins), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Present), James Cosmo (Mr. Fezziwig) and Jonathan Pryce (Jacob Marley).

Charles Dickens’ ageless legend is reborn in this supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of the definitive Christmas story: With his very soul on the line, Scrooge has but one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future.

Produced by Timeless Films in association with Axis Studios, and released by Netflix, the CG animated spectacular features re-imagined songs from the legendary and two-time Academy Award and Grammy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse OBE (Doctor Dolittle, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Superman, Home Alone).

“It’s been a fascinating challenge to adapt such a beloved and often-told story,” said Donnelly. “I think this version will give those who know A Christmas Carol all the things they expect, but not as they’ve experienced them before. There are more than enough psychedelic, time-travelling and musical surprises to keep those familiar with the story on the edge of their seats, while the authentic essence of Dickens has been retained for those coming completely fresh to the classic tale. I can’t wait to share this new version of A Christmas Carol with the world and sincerely hope audiences embrace it this year and for many to come.”

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is produced by Bricusse, Ralph Kamp p.g.a. and Andrew Pearce, co-produced by Rebecca Kamp and Gareth Kamp. Songs arranged, produced and original score by Jeremy Holland-Smith.

Donnelly is an award-winning Scottish director, screenwriter, producer and lyricist with over 20 years experience in animation. Over his career, he has directed, developed, produced or written for Cartoon Network, Amazon Studios, The Bureau of Magic, Mattel, Microsoft Studios, Timeless Films and Netflix.

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is part of Netflix’s wide variety of original animated feature films which includes Academy Award nominated The Mitchell’s vs. the Machines, Aardman’s Robin Robin, Sergio Pablos’ Klaus, Oscar winner Glen Keane’s Over the Moon; as well as Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood, Chris Williams’ The Sea Beast; and soon, Henry Selick’s Wendell & Wild, Nora Twomey’s My Father’s Dragon, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Wendy Rogers’ The Magician’s Elephant, Nick Bruno and Troy Quane’s Nimona, Jared and Jerusha Hess’ Thelma the Unicorn, Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima’s Ultraman and Aardman sequel Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.

By Mercedes Milligan
Animation Magazine Online