Most of us are familiar with the Grinch, the cantankerous main character in Dr. Seuss' popular children's book How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The character has been the subject of several movies over the years and will be coming back in 2018, when he will be the star of the animated production Dr. Seuss' The Grinch. Now, Illumination has given us our first look at a young version of the Grinch, and we have to say: he's super freaking adorable.
Look at those cheeks! Those eyes that are too big for his head! The popular animation company sure knows how to draw a cute character, but really he's so out of character for the Grinch. He's supposed to be a "mean one" and a "vile one," the type of character you wouldn't want to touch "with a thirty-nine and a half foot pole." Until his heart grows two sizes, we're expecting someone with a "soul full of gunk." Not a cut little young version of the character who has know idea someone will refer to him as a "rotter" when he grows up!
Of course, per the brand new post from the animation company, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch isn't going to focus on this cute, fuzzy bundle of joy for the entire movie. The tagline on the new poster in fact discusses that Mr. Grinch will get meaner.
Earlier in 2017 we got our first look at the adult version of the character, who has far more narrowed eyes, sinister eyebrows and seems to be missing the adorable scarfs his younger self rocked. That character will be voiced by Sherlock and Dr. Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch, and we can't wait to see what he does in the role of a villain. (Yeah, we know the Grinch eventually gets redeemed, but still.) You can take a look at the adult version, below.
Unfortunately, we have quite a while to wait before this animated movie hits the big screen. There's really only one good window to release a movie themed around Christmas, and Illumination plans to wait until next holiday season to put its big release out. Currently a date is set for November 9, 2018, so we'll actually be getting the flick closer to Thanksgiving than the bigger holiday. But this should keep the movie from having to compete with Aquaman, Mary Poppins Returns and the animated Spider-Man movie. To see what else is coming in 2018, take a look at our full schedule.
In addition, if you need a good Grinch story now, we're all over the one about the kid who called police after learning the Grinch stole Christmas!
