Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms comes to cinemas

Fairytale fans and winter lovers alike rejoice: Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms waltzes into cinemas on 2 November in 2D, 3D and IMAX. The project is led by two cinematic staples: Chocolat director Lasse Hallström, the Swedish filmmaker who shot to fame directing ABBA music videos, alongside Joe Johnston, whose credits include Jumanji and Jurassic Park III.

The story loosely follows E.T.A Hoffmann’s 1816 fairytale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which formed the basis of Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. Traces of the ballet can be found throughout the film, with American ballerina Misty Copeland brought in to play the lead role in the film’s dance sequence.

The film centres on a girl named Clara, played by Twilight's Mackenzie Foy. One night, at her godfather Drosselmeyer’s party, she is led to a key for the mysterious box given to her by her late mother. Once unlocked, the box leads Clara into a parallel world populated by all manner of fantasy creatures, and divided into four Realms: the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, the Land of Sweets, and the sinister Fourth Realm. Together with the soldier Philip, Clara will tackle the dangerous Fourth Realm in an attempt to bring stability to the rest of the world.

Hollywood heavyweights such as Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Helen Mirren as the evil Mother Ginger and Morgan Freeman as Clara’s Godfather Drosselmeyer will be joining Foy this Christmas. UK comedy stars Miranda Hart, Omid Djalili and Jack Whitehall also feature, set to bring a healthy dose of British humour. Hart’s performance as the comical Dew Drop Fairy will surely be a highlight.

The trailer promises dazzling visuals and costume design; if nothing else it is set to be an aesthetic feast – particularly for those who choose to see it in 3D. This should come as no surprise given that co-director Johnston started out as an art director and effects artist, working on (amongst others) the original Star Wars films before turning his hand to directing. Above all, The Nutcracker certainly looks like an incredible feat of CGI. For adults and children alike, Disney lovers and fairytale fans, this should definitely be on your radar.