Universal & Lupus Wrap Production on ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Animated Feature

Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films (Kensuke’s Kingdom, Ethel & Ernest) have completed production on new animated musical feature film, The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland, based on the bestselling book written by Carys Bexington, illustrated by Kate Hindley and published by Macmillan.

The book mashes up two classic tales: Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas (also known as A Visit From St. Nicholas). The plot features characters from both story worlds, including St. Nick, voiced in the movie by Gerard Butler (Has Fallen trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon); The Queen of Hearts, voiced by Emilia Clarke (Last Christmas, Game of Thrones); and Alice in Wonderland, voiced by Simone Ashley (Bridgerton, Sex Education).

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland is directed by Peter Baynton, following his acclaimed work on Academy Award and BAFTA-winning animation The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Sara Daddy has adapted the book into a screenplay, written entirely in rhyming couplets. Original music and songs come from composer and long-time Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers and lyricist Amy Wadge.

Synopsis: This time, it’s St. Nick’s turn for an adventure down the rabbit hole. There he meets the Mad Hatter, recast as a high-fashion, reindeer-loving tea party host; the White Rabbit, an endearingly scatty and forgetful character; the Queen of Hearts, a Scrooge-esque tinsel-hater, her antagonistic sidekick, the Cheshire Cat, and Alice herself, whose kindness helps St. Nick save Christmas.

Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films previously collaborated on Mog’s Christmas and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. It is produced by the multi award-winning Lupus Films founders Ruth Fielding and Camilla Deakin and executive produced by Helen Parker, EVP, Universal Pictures Content Group, Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel for G-BASE and Emilia Clarke for Magical Thinking Pictures.

“It has been a joy to bring together this incredibly creative team and sprinkle some of Lupus Films’ animated magic into the mix,” said Fielding, Joint Managing Director at Lupus Films. “The wonderfully wacky characters, starry voice cast and toe-tapping tunes all come together in a fantastic festive fairy-tale for the whole family to enjoy.”

UPCG’s Parker noted, “Bringing this original, festive story to life has been a beautiful journey. From the creation of the worlds of Alice in Wonderland and Twas the Night Before Christmas, to bringing in our fantastic cast to voice these beloved storybook icons, it has been a truly creative and heartwarming experience.”