Here’s a new project I’m genuinely torn on, and apparently, so is all of Hollywood, as it’s still looking for a home:Ryan ReynoldsandWill Ferrellare attached to star in a new take onA Christmas Carolthat will reimagine theCharles Dickenstale as a musical.
Daddy’s HomefilmmakersSean AndersandJohn Morrisare set to write and direct the project, which is currently being shopped around town, though buyers have been awful Scrooge-like thus far. Reynolds is red-hot right now, but I’d be surprised if a major studio jumped on this one in the wake of Ferrell’s abysmalHolmes and Watson, which was released last Christmas to scathing reviews. On the other hand, Ferrell starred in the Christmas classicElf, so his track record has seen both sides of the spectrum.
Here’s the thing… I have no desire to see another take onA Christmas Carol. Yes, I’m Jewish, but I like a good Christmas movie as much as the next guy –Home Alone,National Lampoon'’s Christmas Vacation, etc. ButA Christmas Carol? Bo-ring! As Schmoedown fans know, I didn’t even likeScrooged, and I loveBill Murray.
That said, the fact that this version is going to be a musical changes the math significantly, for me. That’s an interesting twist on an old tale, and the idea of Ryan Reynolds doing a Christmas musical is genuinely exciting. I wonder if he’ll play Ebenezer Scrooge, or if it’ll be Ferrell, or whether they’ll be playing the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Either way, this is a strong pairing on paper, so if I was a buyer, I’d simply want to know more about the pitch. It certainly seems like a smart play for a streamer, depending on the price.
As for Anders and Morris, they can be hit-and-miss. I genuinely enjoyed the firstDaddy’s Home, but the second film was nearly unwatchable, so they’ll have to be careful to find the right balance of heart, humor and holiday spirit. The duo are also producingA Christmas Carolwith Ferrell’s Gloria Sanchez banner, Reynolds' company Maximum Effort, and Mosaic.
Reynolds recently appeared in theFast & FuriousspinoffHobbs & Shaw, and his upcoming films includeMichael Bay’s action movie6 Undergroundon Netflix,Shawn Levy’s action-comedyFree Guy, and a sequel toThe Hitman’s Bodyguard. Ferrell will soon be seen inDownhill, Fox Searchlight’s remake of the 2014 dark comedyForce Majeure. He’s represented by UTA, while Reynolds is repped by WME.The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news.
