Richard Curtis is making his first Christmas movie since Love Actually and, of course, it’s packed with A-list celebrities.
The animation, which will premiere on Netflix later this year, follows a series of intertwining stories about love, loneliness, family and friends, all while Santa tries to solve some big problems of his own.
Succession megastar Brian Cox will play Father Christmas, while Love Actually’s Bill Nighy, Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw and former Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will all have starring roles.
It has also been revealed that Ed Sheeran has created a new song for the film, which he created with his older brother.
Richard Curtis is making his first Christmas movie since Love Actually and, of course, it’s packed with A-list celebrities.
The animation, which will premiere on Netflix later this year, follows a series of intertwining stories about love, loneliness, family and friends, all while Santa tries to solve some big problems of his own.
Succession megastar Brian Cox will play Father Christmas, while Love Actually’s Bill Nighy, Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw and former Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will all have starring roles.
Succession star Brian Cox will voice Santa Claus in Curtis’ upcoming animated film, ‘That Christmas’
Actress Jodie Whittaker, who has played notable roles as the former Doctor Who star, will also star in the new film.
Fiona Shaw attends the New York premiere of Paramount’s ‘If’ at the SVA Theater on May 13
Speaking about the opportunity, the pop star said: ‘I got to work with my older brother on this, which is a rarity and a gift to work so closely with my only sibling.
‘It felt really good to create something that my children could watch, with their uncle, from the country they live in.
‘I find it crazy that there aren’t more animated Christmas movies for kids, but this one is going to become a holiday staple, at least in our house.
‘I hope everyone likes and enjoys the song, we had a great time creating it.’
The 33-year-old even joked a bit about the movie and the scene the song was written for in particular, describing it as “heartbreaking” but “real.”
“It’s very emotional and at the same time very funny, like all Richard Curtis movies. Since I have kids, I realize that there’s a real lack of good animated Christmas movies for kids, so I thought it was an amazing thing to do and put out into the world.”
‘The scene we wrote this song for is so heartbreaking, but so real for so many people at Christmas, who are spending it without their loved ones, for so many reasons.’
It has also been revealed that Ed Sheeran has created a new song for the film, which he created with his older brother.
That Christmas was directed by Simon Otto, who also animated How to Train Your Dragon, and the soundtrack was composed by John Powell.
The animation is based on a series of children’s books by Richard Curtis (pictured above).
Curtis was delighted that “Britain’s greatest composer” had agreed to take part in the film, stating that the duo “had been friends for years”.
Bill Nighy will star in ‘That Christmas’, but he has been working with Curtis for a long time after playing an aging rocker in Love Actually in 2002.
Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister in love with his secretary in the Christmas classic Love Actually
Liam Neeson and Thomas Sangster in Love Actually. Curtis is known for making romantic comedies, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and About Time.
Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightley in Love Actually.
While Curtis was delighted that “Britain’s greatest composer” had agreed to take part in the film, stating that the duo “had been friends for years”.
‘I’m so excited to have Ed’s beautiful song in our film.
‘It’s a film set in Suffolk… Ed lives in Suffolk, he loves it and he totally understood the tone and approach of what we were trying to do.
‘We’ve been friends for many years and, especially now that he’s a husband and father, it’s really lovely to have him in such a key role in this film about love, children and family.
‘And of course, even if he wasn’t a friend and didn’t love Suffolk, how wonderful it was to have a wonderful new song from one of the greatest British songwriters of all time.’
That Christmas was directed by Simon Otto, who also animated How to Train Your Dragon, and the soundtrack was composed by John Powell.
Curtis is best known for making romantic comedy films including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and About Time.
But one of her all-time favourites is Love Actually. For millions of Britons, no Christmas would be complete without a screening of the film starring Hugh Grant as the prime minister in love with his secretary and Billy Nighy as an ageing rocker who will do almost anything for one last chance at big screen success.