A Chilling Christmas to Come? Robert Eggers Takes on ‘A Christmas Carol’

Hold onto your Santa hats, horror fans! Robert Eggers, the visionary director behind unsettling period pieces like The Witch, The Lighthouse, and the upcoming Nosferatu, is setting his sights on a holiday classic – but with his own distinctive, likely chilling, twist. Deadline has reported that Eggers will write and direct his own adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless ghost story, A Christmas Carol, for Warner Bros.

This news comes alongside the previously announced Werwulf, Eggers’ foray into the werewolf genre, further solidifying his busy upcoming slate. But the prospect of Eggers tackling A Christmas Carol is particularly intriguing, promising a fresh and potentially dark take on a narrative deeply ingrained in popular culture.

Adding to the excitement, frequent Eggers collaborator Willem Dafoe is reportedly the top choice to play the iconic miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. While negotiations are not yet underway, insiders suggest Eggers is specifically writing the role with Dafoe in mind. The duo’s previous collaborations have yielded unforgettable, often intense, performances, making this potential casting a perfect match for Eggers’ anticipated vision.

Producing this new adaptation are Chris Columbus and Elenor Columbus, who are also working with Eggers on Nosferatu. Columbus, known for directing beloved classics like Home Alone and the early Harry Potter films, brings a wealth of experience in both family-friendly fare and productions with a touch of magic, making his involvement an interesting counterpoint to Eggers’ darker sensibilities.

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the quintessential tale of redemption, follows the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve – the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come – who force him to confront his miserly ways and the impact of his cold heart. The story has been adapted countless times for the screen, with memorable iterations including Alastair Sim’s definitive 1951 portrayal, Albert Finney’s musical take in 1970, George C. Scott’s stern 1984 version, the comedic spin of Bill Murray in 1988’s Scrooged, the beloved Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) starring Michael Caine, and Jim Carrey’s motion-capture performance in 2009.

Eggers’ involvement suggests a departure from the more traditional and often heartwarming adaptations. The core of A Christmas Carol is, after all, a ghost story, a theme perfectly suited to Eggers’ atmospheric and often unsettling style. As noted by Luiz H.C. on Bloody Disgusting last year, the original novella can even be seen as a precursor to the rise of Victorian Spiritualism, highlighting its inherent connection to the spectral and the macabre.

Given Eggers’ meticulous attention to historical detail and his penchant for exploring darker aspects of human nature, his A Christmas Carol could delve into the genuine fear and unease that underpins Dickens’ narrative. Imagine the chilling visuals of the ghosts, the oppressive atmosphere of Scrooge’s lonely existence, all filtered through Eggers’ signature aesthetic.

While details remain scarce, the prospect of Robert Eggers bringing his unique vision to this classic tale is undeniably exciting. It promises a Christmas Carol unlike any we’ve seen before, one that might just remind us of the story’s gothic roots and deliver a truly haunting holiday experience.

Are you eager to see Robert Eggers’ take on A Christmas Carol? What elements of the story do you think he will emphasize? Share your thoughts in the comments below!