Sabrina Carpenter is ready to tumble down the rabbit hole — but with a microphone in hand.
The global pop sensation and recent Grammy nominee is teaming up with Universal Pictures to star in and produce a musical reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale, Alice in Wonderland.
The film will be written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Hustlers starring Jennifer Lopez. Veteran producer Marc Platt, known for his work on La La Land, Legally Blonde, and both stage and screen versions of Wicked, is producing alongside Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton from Alloy Entertainment — the company behind Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl.
A Dream Project in Motion
Insiders reveal that the project began as a personal vision from Carpenter, who reportedly approached the studio over a year ago with a concept and visual presentation for the movie. The idea gradually evolved into a full-scale production after the addition of Scafaria and the producing team.
The upcoming film will reimagine Carroll’s whimsical 19th-century story, where a young girl’s fall into a strange and surreal world becomes a journey filled with eccentric characters and emotional discovery.
The Power Team Behind the Scenes
Ryan Jones and Jacqueline Garell are supervising development for Universal, with Katie McNicol overseeing the project under Marc Platt Productions.
For Platt, it’s another major entry in a long list of high-profile musicals — his upcoming Wicked: For Good, the second part of the Wicked movie adaptation, hits cinemas on November 21.
Carpenter’s Golden Year
The announcement arrives as Sabrina Carpenter continues her record-breaking year in both music and film. The singer recently earned six Grammy nominations, including Album and Pop Vocal Album of the Year for Man’s Best Friend, and multiple nods for her viral single Manchild.
Carpenter has also made her mark in Hollywood with roles in The Hate U Give, Emergency, and the beloved Disney series Girl Meets World.
Lorene Scafaria’s Strong Creative Streak
Director Lorene Scafaria has been busy expanding her portfolio as well. She recently helmed episodes of HBO’s Succession and the comedy series I Love LA, while continuing her success as an executive producer. Her 2019 hit Hustlers earned her wide critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Director.
With Carpenter’s pop energy, Scafaria’s vision, and Platt’s musical expertise, this Alice in Wonderland musical is shaping up to be one of Universal’s most talked-about projects — and a fresh chapter in Hollywood’s growing love for music-driven storytelling.
