Robert Eggers Plans a Retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

After director Robert Eggers recently brought "Nosferatu" to movie theaters, he will probably soon be devoting himself to another classic tale. According to sources at Deadline, a retelling of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is currently in development.

Eggers has made a name for himself over the past decade with his unique style and meticulous attention to detail, particularly in modern horror cinema. He became known in 2015 with his debut film "The VVitch". This was followed in 2019 by "The Lighthouse", a surreal, psychologically charged film. 2022 saw the release of "The Northman", a powerful Viking epic based on ancient Norse sagas.

Willem Dafoe as Ebenezer Scrooge

Hollywood star Willem Dafoe is reportedly being considered for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the retelling of "A Christmas Carol". Eggers has already worked with the actor on several occasions. He took on a leading role in "The Lighthouse" and was likewise featured in "The Northman" and "Nosferatu". Eggers will both direct "A Christmas Carol" and write the screenplay. The Warner Bros. studio is behind the project, with "Harry Potter" director Chris Columbus involved as producer.

But first, Eggers is working on the movie "Werwulf". It is set in a dark era of medieval England, in which a werewolf is up to mischief. Filming on the project is scheduled to start in 2025, with "Werwulf" expected to be released in theaters in December 2026, meaning that the retelling of "A Christmas Carol" is unlikely to be released before 2027.

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is one of the best-known and most adapted stories in world literature. The English novelist's tale is one of the most popular Christmas stories ever. Since its publication in 1843, the story has touched generations of readers and has become an integral part of Christmas culture.

Plot

At the center of the story is the greedy and unfeeling businessman Ebenezer Scrooge. For him, Christmas is just an annoying holiday that keeps him from working. But on the night before Christmas, he is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley urgently warns him of a grim fate if Scrooge does not change his ways. Over the course of the night, Scrooge is visited by three more ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. These show him his own life, his loneliness, the consequences of his cold-heartedness, and the impending end. Deeply shaken, Scrooge is confronted with his mistakes and must try to change.

Cultural Influence

The cultural status of the story is enormous. It has shaped the image of Christmas in the modern world – for example, the idea of compassion, charity and communal celebration. Meanwhile, there are also numerous adaptations for theater, film and television. Scrooge has become synonymous with miserliness and hard-heartedness, while his transformation is a symbol of human repentance and reform.

Film Adaptations

One of the best-known film adaptations is the 1951 version with Alastair Sim in the role of Scrooge. The humorous retelling "Scrooged" with Bill Murray as the cynical television manager is also very popular. "Star Trek" actor Patrick Stewart took on the role of Scrooge in an adaptation in the 90s. In 2009, Disney also released an animated version with Jim Carrey in several roles, including Scrooge and the three ghosts.

Each of these film adaptations introduces its own stylistic devices and cultural nuances – but the central moral core always remains the same: the transformation of a person through insight, compassion and the power of Christmas.

Further Stories by Charles Dickens

In addition to "A Christmas Carol", other works by Charles Dickens are part of world literature as well: "Oliver Twist", "David Copperfield", "Great Expectations", or "Bleak House", show Dickens' narrative talent and his strong moral dedication.

Dickens knew how to package complex social issues in catchy and entertaining stories. "A Christmas Carol" is probably one of his best-known and most accessible works, which is re-read and performed every year. It reminds us that change is possible and that Christmas is a celebration of hope and benevolence.