Info in Movie News | Sabrina Carpenter is making a bold move to a different creative realm, after her musical triumph she is now the lead in a big fantasy musical movie from Universal Pictures. The pop singer, who recently got multiple Grammy nominations, is going to be the face and one of the producers of a brand new original musical based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. This is a big deal for Sabrina as this turning point in her career, she is showing that she is capable of taking on the challenge of a bigger role and also the responsibilities of the production side.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2024 Carpenter came up with a full creative pitch and presented it to Universal. She had a lookbook, initial visuals, and her own concepts for Wonderland’s look and Alice’s character. This level of initiative impressed the studio, which began developing the project with her as an early creative partner. As the idea expanded, Universal brought in Lorene Scafaria to write and direct the movie. Scafaria has been identified with her works such as Hustlers, Succession and the HBO Comedy series I Love LA. Her manner of working mostly involves complex female protagonists, emotional subtlety, and witty realism which goes with her very well to remodel Alice for a new generation.
First of all, this remake of Wonderland is anticipated to look and sound as if it were a different story from the previous ones. The media are saying that the movie will not be just a simple chaotic journey through a fantastical realm but rather it will explore Alice as a character more profoundly. According to the insiders, the narrative is about presenting Alice as a young woman who is dealing with pressure, ambition, and the changing or the blurring of the line between imagination and reality. Wonderland turns into a metaphorical refuge, a place, which is the reflection of the modern world’s chaos. The team behind the scenes has also studied the present-day fantasy series which is highly popular among the youth such as Wednesday, Locke and Key, and The Magicians. These have impacted the project to suggest that it would combine stylized visuals with the emotional nature of the story and the characters’ personal journey.
A long-time musical producer of Hollywood, Marc Platt is at the helm of this project through Marc Platt Productions. His credits include such a superbly musical and narrative turned movies as La La Land, Wicked, and Legally Blonde. Platt’s ability to tell a musical story that turns into a successful one is displayed through these pieces. Alloy Entertainment’s Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton are the next to be with him. Needless to say their company, which is the creator of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, is a sign of the focus on the interaction of the characters and the creation of the stylish world that would lure the young audience. Universal executives Ryan Jones and Jacqueline Garell are supervising development, while Katie McNicol is managing the project for Marc Platt Productions.
Carpenter’s fast and impressive entry to the music industry is instrumental in the studio’s self-assurance. The very first week of her album Man’s Best Friend, which was streamed heavily, saw it debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Moreover, she was nominated for Grammys six times, among which are Album of the Year and Record of the Year. As a result of her soaring power, Universal considers her a strong lead for a musical movie that can bring in both the audience of the cinema and her music fans. Besides, Carpenter’s last acting credits include The Hate U Give, Emergency, Clouds, and the Tall Girl series, however, this will be her first time fronting a major studio movie and also producing it creatively.
The movie will not just feature original music but also, according to the source, it will be a theatrical blend with contemporary pop elements reflecting Carpenter’s style although the details of the music are kept private. Wonderland aims to be a stunning visual with new looks for the characters like the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and Cheshire Cat. These characters, in return, are anticipated to have the updated personas illustrating their psychological aspects while still being their quirky lovable characters.
Scafaria, moreover, is recording the highest point of her creativity simultaneously. She has recently shot the pilot of I Love LA, contributed to several episodes of Succession, and is getting ready to direct the A24 thriller Jonty. Her skill to blend humor, tension, and heartfelt storytelling gracefully places her in a perfect match with a musical world that is chaotic yet shows the characters’ development. As a result, the movie is turning into a present-day reinterpretation instead of a replication of the former versions, thanks to her combined with Carpenter’s vibrant character.
Universal hopes the musical will introduce a new generation to Wonderland while giving long time fans something entirely new. The studio views the project as a potential long term property, especially given Carpenter’s expanding global fanbase. Although the release date has not yet been announced, early industry reactions predict that this could become one of the most anticipated musical movies in the coming years.
source The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline
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