From Chart-Topping Hits to Wonderland: Sabrina Carpenter's Cinematic Leap
Fresh from dominating music charts and electrifying concert stages worldwide, pop phenomenon Sabrina Carpenter is embarking on an exciting new cinematic journey. The multi-talented artist has secured her first major studio feature film role in an upcoming musical adaptation for Universal Pictures, as reported by Hollywood Reporter.
The Wonderland Project: Details and Production Team
The untitled musical represents a significant passion project for Carpenter, who will not only star in the production but also actively back it through her creative involvement. While specific details about her character remain under wraps, insiders describe this as a deeply personal venture for the Espresso singer.
The project marks a new interpretation of Lewis Carroll's timeless Victorian novel, Alice in Wonderland, which follows the adventures of a young girl named Alice who tumbles down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with talking animals and peculiar characters. This beloved story has seen numerous adaptations, including Disney's classic 1951 animated film and Tim Burton's billion-dollar-grossing 2010 live-action version starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.
Behind the scenes, an impressive creative team is assembling. Lorene Scafaria, known for her work on the R-rated thriller Hustlers and HBO's I Love L.A., has been brought on board to write and direct the adaptation. Scafaria's diverse portfolio also includes writing and directing credits for The Meddler and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, along with helming episodes of the acclaimed series Succession.
The production boasts substantial backing from industry heavyweights. Marc Platt will co-produce through his Universal-based Marc Platt Productions, while Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton are supporting the project through Allong Entertainment.
Carpenter's Growing Legacy: From Music to Movies
This musical announcement arrives at a particularly triumphant moment in Carpenter's career. The news breaks just one week after she received an impressive six Grammy Award nominations for her seventh studio album Man's Best Friend. Her nominations span multiple prestigious categories, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
While this marks Carpenter's first leading role in a major studio production, it doesn't represent her acting debut. She has previously appeared in cameo roles in Netflix's Tall Girl movies and the drama The Hate U Give, demonstrating her versatility across different genres and platforms.
Interestingly, this isn't Carpenter's first attempt to bring Alice in Wonderland to the screen through musical interpretation. Variety had previously reported that Netflix acquired a feature pitch for an Alice in Wonderland musical from Carpenter's production banner, At Last Productions, back in 2020. However, that project never materialized into a final production.
Sources reveal that it was Sabrina Carpenter herself who initially approached Universal with the project concept in 2024, demonstrating her proactive approach to shaping her creative career. As the project developed over time, Scafaria joined the team, bringing her distinctive directorial vision to Carroll's whimsical world.
This ambitious undertaking signals Carpenter's continued evolution as an entertainer who successfully bridges the worlds of music and cinema, while the combination of her star power and Scafaria's directorial expertise promises a fresh take on a beloved literary classic that has captivated audiences for generations.
