Disney has unveiled its lavish, magical first teaser trailer for “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic “Nutcracker” Christmas tale.
Mackenzie Foy stars as Clara, a girl who receives the titular Nutcracker toy and is asked to take special care of it.
The film also stars ABT ballerina Misty Copeland — who is barely seen in the teaser footage — as well as Morgan Freeman as the inventor Drosselmeyer and Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Helen Mirren and Eugenio Derbez also appear.
In the trailer, Clara finds a key that unlocks a parallel world. When the key disappears, she must find it in the Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Mirren), to restore peace and harmony in her own world.
“The Nutcracker” has been a popular ballet since it was adapted to the stage in 1892, which was based on Hoffman’s classic story.
Last week, the studio announced it was planning a massive 32 days of additional photography on the ballet-inspired fantasy movie, bringing in “Captain America: The First Avenger” director Joe Johnston instead of original filmmaker Lasse Hallstrom.
The studio said Hallstrom was unavailable due to scheduling issues — though he has no other projected publicly lined up — but he will be involved with postproduction.
Mark Gordon is the project’s producer and Lindy Goldstein is executive producing. Oscar-winning screenwriter Tom McCarthy (“Spotlight”) wrote the material for the reshoots.
“The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is slated for November 2, 2018.
Watch the trailer above.