Robert Eggers, the director known for his unique style in films like “The Northman” and “The Lighthouse,” is set to write and direct a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella “A Christmas Carol” for Warner Bros. Chris Columbus and Eleanor Columbus will produce the film through their company Maiden Voyage. Eggers’ distinct visual aesthetic and preference for historical settings make him a fitting choice to bring this timeless tale to life.
A Christmas Carol” tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. While no official casting has been announced, insiders suggest that Willem Dafoe, who has collaborated with Eggers on previous projects, is being considered for the role of Scrooge.
Eggers to helm Dickens classic
Dafoe has appeared in Eggers’ films “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman,” and most recently, “Nosferatu,” which grossed $181 million worldwide and received critical acclaim for its visual style. This new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” will join a long list of previous screen versions, including the 2019 British television adaptation starring Guy Pearce and the 2009 animated feature directed by Robert Zemeckis, featuring Jim Carrey as Scrooge. Eggers is currently scheduled to direct “Werwulf” for Focus Features before moving forward with “A Christmas Carol,” which will be his first feature project at Warner Bros.
The film is expected to resonate with audiences when it hits theaters on Christmas Day of 2026. As the project develops, fans of both Eggers and Dafoe eagerly await further news on what promises to be a fresh and compelling take on this beloved classic. WME and Frankfurt Kurnit represent Eggers, while WME and Circle Management + Production represent Dafoe.
