Freestyle Releasing, in association with Cinemarket Films, has acquired U.S. theatrical rights to Andrei Konchalovsky’s “The Nutcracker in 3D.” The film will open Nov. 24.
Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane and John Turturro star in the new interpretation of the story that inspired Tchaikovsky’s music for the classic ballet.
The story centers on 9-year-old Mary (Fanning), who is celebrating Christmas in Vienna and receives an enchanted nutcracker as a gift from her Uncle Albert (Lane). The nutcracker comes to life and takes Mary into his magical world of fairies, sugarplums and other toys. Ultimately, Mary must face off against the Rat King (Turturro) to save the Nutcracker and his kingdom.
To augment the original Tchaikovsky score, “The Lion King” lyricist Tim Rice has written eight new songs for the film, which was shot on location in Budapest, Hungary.
“Andrei’s inspired vision brings this classic Christmas tale to the screen in a way never before imagined,” Cinemarket CEO Peter Graves said.
Konchalovsky, the director of 1980s films “Runaway Train,” “Maria’s Lovers” and “Tango & Cash,” produced the film with Paul Lowin (“Rollin’ With the Nines”). Moritz Borman (“Terminator Salvation”) is an executive producer.
Freestyle recently released “The Dry Land,” “Bitch Slap” and “Motherhood.” The company next releases the musical “Bran Nue Dae” on Sept. 10.
By Jay A. Fernandez
Aug 30, 2010, 07:05 PM ET
Comment to site: RP comments: For purists out there, Tim Rice added lyrics to 8 Tchaikovsky compositions for the film. He did not write “new” songs.
link to original post at The Hollywood Reporter