When the trailer for Andrey Konchalovskiy's 3D take on the classic ballet The Nutcracker popped up online earlier this month, it seemed inevitable that we could expect a release later this year for the new take on the holiday classic. Now Freestyle Releasing has made it happen. THR reports that the indie distributor has scheduled a November 24 release for the film, which includes eight new songs by Lion King mastermind Tim Rice in additional to the traditional Tchaikovsky score.
Though the lead character's name is typically translated as "Clara" in the ballet, for this movie she'll be named Mary and played by Elle Fanning. Nathan Lane plays the uncle who gives Mary the enchanted nutcracker, and John Turturro plays the wicked Rat King whom Mary must defeat. Though Koncaholvskiy's last few films have been in Russian this one will be in English, so it'll be interesting to see how the Tango & Cash director handles a return to the language. And if we have to choose a 3D holiday movie, I'll take whatever this is over revisiting The Polar Express any day.
Take a look at the trailer again below if you're so inclined.
