Following the critical and commercial success ofNosferatu,Robert Eggersis writing and directingA Christmas Carolmovie adaptation. FromNosferatutoThe Lighthouse,Robert Eggers' movieshave received considerable acclaim, and he has become known for his films' unique visual style. He already has several other projects in development as well, including the werewolf horror movieWerwulf, set in 13th century England,and a sequel to Jim Henson’s 1986 filmLabyrinth.
PerDeadline, development at Warner Bros. is underway forEggers to write and direct a new movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’A Christmas Carol. The part of Ebenezer Scrooge is being written for Willem Dafoe, who played Professor Albin Eberhart von FranzinNosferatu,Thomas Wake inThe Lighthouse, and Heimir the Fool in Eggers' 2022 movieThe Northman. Chris Columbus and Eleanor Columbus are attached as producers to the newA Christmas Carolmovie.
What This Means For Robert Eggers
He Has Become The Unlikely King Of Christmas
Given the dark subject matter and exploration in his previous movies, tackling anew version ofA Christmas Carolmay initially seem like a surprising choice for Eggers. However,Christmas is already intertwined with Eggers' legacy, asNosferatuwas released on Christmas Day 2024, and the movie performed incredibly well during and after the holiday. Studios were already looking to build on this success withWerwulfbeing dated for a Christmas 2026 release, and the momentum now continues with the filmmaker directing and writingA Christmas Carol.
BetweenWerwulf, theLabyrinthsequel, and nowA Christmas Carol,Eggers' future includes a range of original storytelling and familiar IP. In the case ofNosferatu, Eggers proved that he could boldly reimagine a horror classic in a way that was well-received by audiences. He now has a chance to accomplish a similar feat withA Christmas Carol, which has been adapted numerous times already, but never through the lens of Eggers' visionary filmmaking.
He & Willem Dafoe Are Perfect For A New Adaptation
Image via Focus Features
While I am usually skeptical about adapting a story that has been retold as many times asA Christmas Carol, I am genuinely excited about this news. Eggers' past filmography bodes well for him bringing new style and substance to the familiar story. His experience in the horror genrecan make the ghosts and Scrooge’s plight more terrifyingon an existential level. Dafoe playing Scrooge is also exciting, as he has some of thebest performances inRobert Eggers' movies. Dafoe also has the range necessary to capture Scrooge’s transformation from a cold-hearted person into a kinder and wiser man.
