Robert Eggers, the director known for haunting period films like The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, is setting his sights on a very different kind of ghost story – A Christmas Carol.
The Nosferatu filmmaker is reportedly writing and directing a new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, with Warner Bros. backing the project. And in a move that feels right on brand, Eggers wants longtime collaborator Willem Dafoe to play the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.
Though casting talks haven’t officially started, Deadline reports that Dafoe is top of mind for Eggers as he pens the script. Eggers will also produce the film alongside Chris and Eleanor Columbus via their Maiden Voyage banner.
This won’t be just another warm-and-fuzzy holiday movie. Knowing Eggers’ track record, expect something far more unsettling – and probably a little weird. His dark, atmospheric style could bring a new level of psychological intensity to the familiar Christmas tale of ghosts, regret, and redemption.
For those unfamiliar, A Christmas Carol centers on Scrooge, a bitter old man visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come. Their visits force him to confront the cruelty of his ways and offer a chance at redemption.
The story’s been adapted countless times – from the 1951 Alastair Sim classic to the Muppets’ surprisingly faithful 1992 version starring Michael Caine. There’s also the 2009 motion-capture version with Jim Carrey and Disney’s animated Mickey’s Christmas Carol. So what makes this one different?
Well, it’s Robert Eggers. He doesn’t do ordinary. His movies are steeped in atmosphere, often rooted in folklore or historical realism, with a focus on psychological unraveling. Just imagine Scrooge navigating his haunted night with the eerie tone of The Lighthouse or the grim dread of The Witch.
Eggers has also said he has little interest in telling modern stories. In fact, he told Rotten Tomatoes he “can’t bear” filming cars or cellphones. “The idea of photographing a cellphone is just death,” he said. That commitment to period authenticity makes A Christmas Carol – set in Victorian London – an ideal project for him.
Interestingly, Eggers is juggling a few things right now. He recently wrapped Nosferatu and has hinted at possibly working on a Labyrinth sequel for TriStar Pictures. But he made it clear he wants his next film to be original – even if that means retelling a story as iconic as A Christmas Carol, but in his own way.
There’s no official release date yet and casting isn’t confirmed, but if Eggers and Dafoe team up again, expect a chilling new take on the holiday classic. One thing’s for sure – this version won’t be your typical Christmas movie.
Stay tuned.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
