An A-list cast including Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy will lend their voices to That Christmas, an animated feature from Netflix penned by Richard Curtis and directed by Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy).
That Christmas is an adaptation of the children’s book series written by Curtis. The pic also marks the directorial debut of animation vet Otto.
Cox voices Santa in the pic. Shaw is Ms. Trapper, Whittaker is Mrs. Williams, and Nighy is Bill, residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The full synopsis reads: That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys. Also starring are Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown,...
That Christmas is an adaptation of the children’s book series written by Curtis. The pic also marks the directorial debut of animation vet Otto.
Cox voices Santa in the pic. Shaw is Ms. Trapper, Whittaker is Mrs. Williams, and Nighy is Bill, residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The full synopsis reads: That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys. Also starring are Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Brian Cox is set to voice Santa Claus in Netflix’s upcoming festive animated feature “That Christmas.”
Due later this year, the film marks the directorial debut of animation veteran Simon Otto and comes from Locksmith Animation (“Ron’s Gone Wrong”). “That Christmas” is adapted from the children’s book series by BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis.
Alongside Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy have also joined the film as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. Other voice stars include Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot and Rhys Darby.
‘That Christmas’
“Becoming an animator had been on my Christmas wish list ever since I was a child and watching animated movies was...
Due later this year, the film marks the directorial debut of animation veteran Simon Otto and comes from Locksmith Animation (“Ron’s Gone Wrong”). “That Christmas” is adapted from the children’s book series by BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis.
Alongside Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy have also joined the film as the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. Other voice stars include Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot and Rhys Darby.
‘That Christmas’
“Becoming an animator had been on my Christmas wish list ever since I was a child and watching animated movies was...
- 3/20/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Red Nose Day, the BBC’s annual televized fund-raising event, is set to return on March 18.
Featuring comedy sketches and specials, live performances and a host of celebrity names, the live show will be broadcast from the broadcaster’s Manchester headquarters on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K.
Sir Lenny Henry will return to host the event alongside former Doctor Who David Tennant, “Walk the Line” judge Alesha Dixon, former “Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two” host Zoe Ball and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
The show will include cameos from comedians Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Jack Whitehall, David Walliams and Matt Lucas as well as public figures such as Olympian Tom Daley and actor Rose Ayling Ellis.
Among the sketches and performances audiences can expect to see on the night are “Comic Opera,” which will see six celebrities given 24 hours to learn opera – and perform it in front...
Featuring comedy sketches and specials, live performances and a host of celebrity names, the live show will be broadcast from the broadcaster’s Manchester headquarters on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K.
Sir Lenny Henry will return to host the event alongside former Doctor Who David Tennant, “Walk the Line” judge Alesha Dixon, former “Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two” host Zoe Ball and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
The show will include cameos from comedians Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Jack Whitehall, David Walliams and Matt Lucas as well as public figures such as Olympian Tom Daley and actor Rose Ayling Ellis.
Among the sketches and performances audiences can expect to see on the night are “Comic Opera,” which will see six celebrities given 24 hours to learn opera – and perform it in front...
- 3/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Locksmith Animation has tapped Simon Otto to direct their adaptation of children’s book series, “That Christmas,” written by acclaimed screenwriter and director Richard Curtis (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”).
Otto is a Visual Effects Society (Ves) Award-winning Head of Character Animation, story artist, character designer and director. He is best known for the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy.
“That Christmas”, previously known as The Empty Stocking, will represent his animated feature film directorial debut. It also marks an animation debut for BAFTA Award-winning Curtis.
Written as a series of children’s books, the trilogy is comprised of “The Empty Stocking,” “Snow Day” and “That Christmas,” all set during the holiday season. The film, for which Curtis has also written the screenplay alongside Peter Souter, will combine the stories and set them in a quintessential English seaside town. It has been billed as “‘Love Actually’ for kids.”
“Simon Otto...
Otto is a Visual Effects Society (Ves) Award-winning Head of Character Animation, story artist, character designer and director. He is best known for the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy.
“That Christmas”, previously known as The Empty Stocking, will represent his animated feature film directorial debut. It also marks an animation debut for BAFTA Award-winning Curtis.
Written as a series of children’s books, the trilogy is comprised of “The Empty Stocking,” “Snow Day” and “That Christmas,” all set during the holiday season. The film, for which Curtis has also written the screenplay alongside Peter Souter, will combine the stories and set them in a quintessential English seaside town. It has been billed as “‘Love Actually’ for kids.”
“Simon Otto...
- 6/14/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Simon Otto to direct ‘Love Actually’ writer-director Richard Curtis children’s book adaptation ‘That Christmas’.
Simon Otto, best known for his animation work on the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, is to make his feature directorial debut on Locksmith Animation’s That Christmas.
The film, previously known as The Empty Stocking, is based on a trio of children’s books by Love Actually writer/director Richard Curtis and is in development at Locksmith Animation’s studios in London. Curtis is writing the screenplay with Peter Souter.
Swiss-born Otto is known for his work at US animation studio DreamWorks, where...
Simon Otto, best known for his animation work on the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, is to make his feature directorial debut on Locksmith Animation’s That Christmas.
The film, previously known as The Empty Stocking, is based on a trio of children’s books by Love Actually writer/director Richard Curtis and is in development at Locksmith Animation’s studios in London. Curtis is writing the screenplay with Peter Souter.
Swiss-born Otto is known for his work at US animation studio DreamWorks, where...
- 6/14/2021
- by Melissa Kasule
- ScreenDaily
Ves Award-winning How To Train Your Dragon franchise alum Simon Otto has been set to make his animated feature directorial debut on Locksmith Animation’s That Christmas. Based on a trio of children’s books by writer/director Richard Curtis, and previously known as The Empty Stocking, the film is currently in development at Locksmith Animation’s studios in London.
Elisabeth Murdoch, Sarah Smith, Julie Lockhart and Bonnie Arnold are executive producing That Christmas. Curtis is writing the screenplay with Peter Souter and will also exec produce along with Colin Hopkins and the book’s illustrator Rebecca Cobb.
The three Curtis books in the series — The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas — tell charming family stories which take place in the run-up to Christmas. The Locksmith film places these stories in a small English beach town and interweaves them to create what the studio describes as “Love Actually for kids.
Elisabeth Murdoch, Sarah Smith, Julie Lockhart and Bonnie Arnold are executive producing That Christmas. Curtis is writing the screenplay with Peter Souter and will also exec produce along with Colin Hopkins and the book’s illustrator Rebecca Cobb.
The three Curtis books in the series — The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas — tell charming family stories which take place in the run-up to Christmas. The Locksmith film places these stories in a small English beach town and interweaves them to create what the studio describes as “Love Actually for kids.
- 6/14/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Locksmith Animation, the studio behind the upcoming 20th Century Studios release “Ron’s Gone Wrong,” has set Simon Otto as the director for its second feature, a holiday film titled “That Christmas.”
Otto, an animator known for the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy, will make his directorial debut on “That Christmas” (previously known as “The Empty Stocking”). The film is based on a trio of children’s Christmas books written by Richard Curtis, the filmmaker known for “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Love, Actually.”
The three books in the series (published by Puffin) — “The Empty Stocking,” “Snow Day” and “That Christmas” – tell family stories that take place in the run-up to the holidays. The Locksmith film places these stories in a small English beach town and interweaves them to create what the studio describes as “‘Love, Actually’ for kids.”
“That Christmas” is currently in development at Locksmith Animation studios in London.
Otto, an animator known for the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy, will make his directorial debut on “That Christmas” (previously known as “The Empty Stocking”). The film is based on a trio of children’s Christmas books written by Richard Curtis, the filmmaker known for “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Love, Actually.”
The three books in the series (published by Puffin) — “The Empty Stocking,” “Snow Day” and “That Christmas” – tell family stories that take place in the run-up to the holidays. The Locksmith film places these stories in a small English beach town and interweaves them to create what the studio describes as “‘Love, Actually’ for kids.”
“That Christmas” is currently in development at Locksmith Animation studios in London.
- 6/14/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The Crown stars Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are to star in a socially distanced, virtual staging of pantomime classic Cinderella for BBC Two, with Richard Curtis executive producing.
The stars will perform from the safety of their homes for the Comic Relief special, which airs on Christmas Eve and will be brought to life with illustrations from iconic children’s illustrator Quentin Blake.
Colman plays the fairy godmother, while Bonham Carter features as the wicked stepmother Lady Devilia. Meanwhile, the breakout star of Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy, will play the title role.
Other cast includes The Night Manager star Tom Hollander and Guz Khan as Baron Hardup and Buttons respectively. Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, the stars and creators of This Country (which is currently being remade by Fox), have been cast as the evil step-sisters. The pair are siblings in real-life.
Written by the Dawson Brothers,...
The stars will perform from the safety of their homes for the Comic Relief special, which airs on Christmas Eve and will be brought to life with illustrations from iconic children’s illustrator Quentin Blake.
Colman plays the fairy godmother, while Bonham Carter features as the wicked stepmother Lady Devilia. Meanwhile, the breakout star of Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy, will play the title role.
Other cast includes The Night Manager star Tom Hollander and Guz Khan as Baron Hardup and Buttons respectively. Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, the stars and creators of This Country (which is currently being remade by Fox), have been cast as the evil step-sisters. The pair are siblings in real-life.
Written by the Dawson Brothers,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has announced plans to host a coronavirus telethon on April 23, bringing together its two charity partners, Comic Relief and Children In Need, for the first time.
Produced by BBC Studios, The Big Night In will go live for three hours on BBC One and aims to cheer up the nation by spotlighting stories of kindness, humor and hope during the catastrophic coronavirus pandemic.
Along the way, the show will invite donations which will go towards vulnerable people who have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Comic Relief and Children In Need will funnel the cash to local charities on the frontline.
The BBC said the show would be star-studded,...
Produced by BBC Studios, The Big Night In will go live for three hours on BBC One and aims to cheer up the nation by spotlighting stories of kindness, humor and hope during the catastrophic coronavirus pandemic.
Along the way, the show will invite donations which will go towards vulnerable people who have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Comic Relief and Children In Need will funnel the cash to local charities on the frontline.
The BBC said the show would be star-studded,...
- 4/7/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is to air a special fund-raising entertainment show, “The Big Night In,” on April 23, which will put a spotlight on the work of those battling with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and provide some showbiz relief to lift the spirits of the Brits under lockdown.
Funds raised through the three-hour show will be split equally between the BBC’s biggest charitable partners, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief. They will use the funds to “provide essential support to local charities, projects and programs across the U.K. to help those most in need,” according to a statement from the broadcaster.
The star-studded live show, to be carried on the flagship channel BBC One, will be produced by BBC Studios Entertainment. It will “offer some light relief and entertainment, whilst celebrating and rewarding those going the extra mile to support their communities in these troubled times,” the BBC said.
Funds raised through the three-hour show will be split equally between the BBC’s biggest charitable partners, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief. They will use the funds to “provide essential support to local charities, projects and programs across the U.K. to help those most in need,” according to a statement from the broadcaster.
The star-studded live show, to be carried on the flagship channel BBC One, will be produced by BBC Studios Entertainment. It will “offer some light relief and entertainment, whilst celebrating and rewarding those going the extra mile to support their communities in these troubled times,” the BBC said.
- 4/7/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The feature animation is “aimed at streaming platforms”.
Love Actually writer-director Richard Curtis is to adapt his own series of Christmas-themed children’s books into an animated feature titled The Empty Stocking for UK studio Locksmith Animation.
Curtis will co-write the screenplay with Peter Souter. A director has yet to be attached.
Locksmith Animation, the UK studio run by Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart and co-founded with Elisabeth Murdoch, recently signed a multi-film theatrical distribution deal with Warner Bros Pictures.
The feature has been earmarked for streaming platforms so falls outside this deal and talks are underway with potential distribution partners.
Love Actually writer-director Richard Curtis is to adapt his own series of Christmas-themed children’s books into an animated feature titled The Empty Stocking for UK studio Locksmith Animation.
Curtis will co-write the screenplay with Peter Souter. A director has yet to be attached.
Locksmith Animation, the UK studio run by Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart and co-founded with Elisabeth Murdoch, recently signed a multi-film theatrical distribution deal with Warner Bros Pictures.
The feature has been earmarked for streaming platforms so falls outside this deal and talks are underway with potential distribution partners.
- 11/6/2019
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Love, Actually writer/director Richard Curtis has teamed with Locksmith Animation for an animated feature based on his Christmas children’s books.
Curtis, who also wrote Four Weddings and a Funeral and Yesterday, is writing The Empty Stocking with Peter Souter (Married Single Other). Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon) is producing along with Locksmith heads Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart. Illustrator Rebecca Cobb and executive Colin Hopkins are also on board.
The three books, The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and the forthcoming That Christmas, tell a charming family story which takes place in the run up to Christmas, in a rural coastal town based on Curtis’s home. The stories will be interwoven to create what Locksmith describes as “Love Actually for kids.”
“It’s been such a pleasure writing these books – with Rebecca Cobb’s wonderful drawings – that I’m thrilled about the idea of turning them into a film,...
Curtis, who also wrote Four Weddings and a Funeral and Yesterday, is writing The Empty Stocking with Peter Souter (Married Single Other). Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon) is producing along with Locksmith heads Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart. Illustrator Rebecca Cobb and executive Colin Hopkins are also on board.
The three books, The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and the forthcoming That Christmas, tell a charming family story which takes place in the run up to Christmas, in a rural coastal town based on Curtis’s home. The stories will be interwoven to create what Locksmith describes as “Love Actually for kids.”
“It’s been such a pleasure writing these books – with Rebecca Cobb’s wonderful drawings – that I’m thrilled about the idea of turning them into a film,...
- 11/6/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. studio Locksmith is creating “The Empty Stocking,” an animated feature based on a series of Richard Curtis-penned children’s books.
Veteran producer Bonnie Arnold (“How to Train Your Dragon”) will oversee the project, which will be for release on digital platforms. She will work alongside Locksmith chiefs Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart.
Locksmith is partnering on the feature with Curtis and his team, which includes illustrator Rebecca Cobb, executive Colin Hopkins, and writer Peter Souter, who will pen the screenplay.
The three books in Curtis’ Puffin-published series are “The Empty Stocking,” “Snow Day,” and the forthcoming “That Christmas.” Each tells a family story that takes place in the run up to Christmas, in a rural coastal town based on Curtis’s home. The trio of stories will be interwoven for the feature.
This will mark the first animated film project for Curtis. “It’s been such a...
Veteran producer Bonnie Arnold (“How to Train Your Dragon”) will oversee the project, which will be for release on digital platforms. She will work alongside Locksmith chiefs Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart.
Locksmith is partnering on the feature with Curtis and his team, which includes illustrator Rebecca Cobb, executive Colin Hopkins, and writer Peter Souter, who will pen the screenplay.
The three books in Curtis’ Puffin-published series are “The Empty Stocking,” “Snow Day,” and the forthcoming “That Christmas.” Each tells a family story that takes place in the run up to Christmas, in a rural coastal town based on Curtis’s home. The trio of stories will be interwoven for the feature.
This will mark the first animated film project for Curtis. “It’s been such a...
- 11/6/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
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