Following the tremendous success of Wicked, Universal is now focusing on yet another beloved tale, featuring Sabrina Carpenter in the lead role. The singer has seen her music career soar in recent years with popular tracks such as “Espresso”; however, she initially began her journey as an actress, with her breakout performance in Girl Meets World, the sequel series to Boy Meets World.
Universal is currently working on a musical film featuring Carpenter, drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. The talented singer and actress will also take on a behind-the-scenes role as a producer. Lorene Scafaria, known for directing Hustlers, has been brought on board as both the director and writer.
Universal is not the sole link to Wicked that the forthcoming Alice in Wonderland possesses. Marc Platt, the producer behind Wicked on Broadway and it’s film adaptations, Wicked and Wicked – For Good, will also serve as a producer for Carpenter’s upcoming film, joining forces with Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton.
Additionally, other executives participating in this project include Universal’s Ryan Jones and Jacqueline Garell, along with Katie McNicol from Mark Platt Productions. Although Carpenter’s role in the upcoming Alice in Wonderland film remains undisclosed, it is highly probable that she will portray the lead character, Alice.
Last year, she engaged in discussions with Universal to present her concepts for the film, which is regarded as a project close to her heart. The legendary tale of Alice and her descent into the rabbit hole, leading her into a fantastical realm, originated with the publication of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
This enchanting story was later transformed into an animated film by Disney in 1951. Following this, the sequel to Carroll’s work, titled Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, was published in 1871.
Nearly six decades after the animated classic captured audiences’ hearts, Disney ventured once more into the whimsical world of Wonderland, producing a live-action adaptation under the visionary direction of Tim Burton. Mia Wasikowska took on the role of Alice, while Johnny Depp portrayed the eccentric Mad Hatter.
Six years later, the adventure continued with the release of the sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass. While Disney is famous for it’s adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, the story itself is in the public domain. This means that any studio has the opportunity to produce it’s own interpretation.
Universal is seizing this chance, especially after Wicked achieved an impressive $756.4 million at the Box Office, with a budget of only $150 million.
The movie boasts an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has secured the Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, along with accolades for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at the Golden Globes.
The eagerly awaited sequel, Wicked – For Good, released on November 21, concluding the tale of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) as envisioned by Gregory Maguire in his novel Wicked, which was adapted into a Broadway musical.
This book draws inspiration from the enchanting realm of Oz, first brought to life by L. Frank Baum in his classic tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It’s creation was made feasible due to the fact that, similar to Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz resides in the public domain.
Little information is available regarding Sabrina Carpenter’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. However, following Universal’s success with Wicked, the studio aims to duplicate that achievement with a fresh movie musical that it aspires will attain comparable acclaim.