A new trailer for Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell’s Christmas Movie Spirited, which hits theaters and streamers this November, teases a musical comedy extravaganza. This film is yet another adaption ofA Christmas Carol, the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens that tells the tale of old miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in an attempt to save his soul from the greed and isolation that consume him. In classic holiday tradition, Spirited is not the only version of the Dickens tale coming to screens this year, as Netflix's Scrooge: A Christmas Carol will also re-imagine the classic story.
Spirited marks John Morris’ first time directing alongside Sean Anders, a team who have previously co-written many projects together, such as Instant Family, We’re the Millers, and Daddy’s Home. Ferrell stars as a ghost of Christmas Present assigned to work with Reynolds in the Scrooge-style role. The duo go on a magical adventure together that will hopefully see Reynolds becoming a changed man by the end. It appears that Ferrell and Reynolds’ friendship has truly blossomed throughout the production of this film, with the latter wishing Ferrell a happy birthday this year in a hilarious Step Brothers-style tribute video.
The new Spirited trailer from Apple TV+ reveals that every Christmas Eve, one dark soul is chosen to be redeemed by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. With Reynolds starring as said “level 20 Pain in the Dickens” Clint, Ferrell is determined to change him, even though the other ghosts don’t seem to be so certain. However, the Ghost of Christmas Present also has his own out-of-work interests, specifically in the form of Octavia Spencer, playing Reynolds’ Executive VP.
Everything We Know About Ryan Reynolds & Will Ferrell's Spirited
In this modernized retelling of a classic story, it appears that the characters are fully aware that A Christmas Carol exists, as revealed in the previously released teaser. This unusual meta-narrative take on the tale, while drawing attention to its artificiality, will open the door for potential fourth-wall breaking, something Reynolds is well known for in his previous comedic work. The comedy extends further into a look behind the curtain, where ghosts can walk the Earth for one night a year to warn wrongdoers to change their ways or face the consequences of their future.
With Ferrell and Sunita Mani taking on the role of ghosts who appear to be employed to assist in changing people for the better, this movie will provide a fresh perspective on well-trodden territory, something many festive films are trying to do in the modern day. Within a similar ilk as Scrooged (which is potentially getting a remake starring Kevin Hart), Spirited should charm audiences while turning what they already know on its head, potentially looking into a deeper story of the human condition without making the content as spooky as the original story. With the comedic chops of Reynolds and Ferrell taking the lead, this musical movie is looking to be a fun parody that will pay homage to many adaptions that already exist.
Source: YouTube/Apple TV
