Few stories have haunted the holiday season quite like “A Christmas Carol.” Since Charles Dickens first penned the tale in 1843, the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from bitter miser to humbled soul has remained one of literature’s most enduring redemptions.
The story has been reimagined across generations, from Alastair Sim’s chilling 1951 portrayal to Bill Murray’s sardonic take in “Scrooged,” and even Robert Zemeckis’ eerie animated version starring Jim Carrey. Each adaptation offers its own glimpse into the ghosts that haunt us all.
Now, a new version is beginning to take shape, this time guided by the distinct vision of Robert Eggers. Known for his atmospheric and historically grounded films like “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” and the “Nosferatu,” Eggers may be the first filmmaker to truly lean into the gothic horror that pulses beneath Dickens’ original text.
Inside the Dark New Vision for ‘A Christmas Carol’
Robert Eggers appears to be setting his sights on a new frontier: Victorian London. Sources close to the early development phase reveal that the filmmaker is in talks to bring his singular sensibility to a new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” for Warner Bros.
While the project is still in its earliest stages, Eggers is said to be considering Willem Dafoe for the role of Scrooge, continuing a creative partnership that has spanned several atmospheric and genre-defying films.
Eggers and Dafoe first worked together on the critically acclaimed “The Lighthouse,” where Dafoe’s weathered, monologue-heavy performance drew widespread praise. Since then, Dafoe has appeared in supporting roles in Eggers’ “The Northman” and the recently released “Nosferatu,” a surprise box office success that earned multiple Oscar nominations and solidified Eggers’ reputation as a modern master of moody, period-driven cinema. While Dafoe has not officially signed on, his presence feels almost inevitable given the duo’s history.
If it moves forward, this would mark Eggers’ first time directing a feature for Warner Bros., following his collaborations with A24 and Focus Features. Before tackling Dickens, however, Eggers is expected to complete “Werwulf,” a separate project currently lined up at Focus.
For now, “A Christmas Carol” remains in development—but with Eggers at the helm and Dafoe in the wings, this holiday tale could take on an entirely new life, steeped in shadows and psychological unease.