Netflix recently unveiled new images from Locksmith Animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong) and director Simon Otto’s (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy) upcoming CG animated feature That Christmas. The film, which entwines tales about family, friends, love, loneliness, turkeys and a Santa Claus making a big mistake, will debut on Netflix later this year.
It is an adaptation of the children’s book series – The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas – written by acclaimed BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer and director, Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill). A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’ first animation project as well as the directorial debut for animation veteran Otto.
“Becoming an animator had been on my Christmas wish list ever since I was a child and watching animated movies was one of the biggest Christmas traditions in my family. But never could I have imagined that one day I would get the chance to direct a Christmas film written by the one-and-only Richard Curtis and collaborate with some of the most iconic voice talents,” Otto said. “Watching this cast bring life to these heart-warmingly funny tales and infuse them with the magic of animation is truly a dream come true. I hope That Christmas becomes a cherished tradition for audiences worldwide.”
“This has been the most amazing adventure, my first animated film. It’s been especially exciting to see the whole world I imagined come to life beyond my wildest dreams – and populated by a dream bunch of actors, their wonderful voices turned into such rich and funny characters,” said Curtis.
The film’s voice cast includes Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw (Ms. Trapper), Jodie Whittaker (Mrs. Williams), and Bill Nighy (Bill) as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The film also stars Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot, and Rhys Darby.
The festive feature boasts a score from Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated composer John Powell (How To Train Your Dragon trilogy, Happy Feet, Shrek). Produced by Locksmith Animation, the film includes animation production from DNEG.
The procedures of the film are Nicole P. Hearon p.g.a, Adam Tandy p.g.a; and Mary Coleman, Natalie Fischer, Julie Lockhart, Elisabeth Murdoch, Bonnie Arnold, Lara Breay, Sarah Smith, Rebecca Cobb, Curtis and Colin Hopkins came on board as executive producers.