Despite its 19th-century publication, Charles Dickens’s classic “A Christmas Carol” remains a beloved holiday tale that has been adapted for film dozens of times. So, what distinguishes the next version of this narrative from the others?
The answer is comedians Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, who co-star in the musical “Spirited,” the most recent rendition of the classic work of literature. Reynolds will play Clint Briggs, a younger, funnier version of the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge, while Ferrell will play the spirit of Christmas Present.
Clint, on the other hand, flips the script and investigates the ghost’s history, present, and future. This funny musical variation on the famous Dickens narrative, “A Christmas Carol” is recounted from the perspective of the ghosts for the first time.
The next Apple TV+ original film, produced by Maximum Effort and Gloria Sanchez Productions, is a holiday-themed musical comedy co-written by Sean Anders and John Morris.
Ferrell and Reynolds are already very at ease in front of a microphone, as their TikTok followers know from a popular 2021 video in which the comedians gave their own version of the Grace Kelly song fad.
Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page, Sunita Mani, Loren Woods, Joe Tippett, Marlow Barkley, and Jen Tullock are also part of the musical group. Though the soundtrack was created by a variety of performers, the film will also have new songs by artists such as Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
“Spirited” will be released in cinemas on November 11 and internationally via Apple TV+ on November 18. Watch
Did Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell get along?
Off-screen, Ferrell and Wahlberg appear to get along just fine, although Wahlberg recently discussed an incident in which his daughter and Ferrell’s son were in communication. That’s when Wahlberg’s father instincts kicked in.
Why doesn’t Will Ferrell have social media?
I’ve always disliked social media and have primarily utilized it to support our work at Funny Or Die, some of my own projects, and charitable issues that I am passionate about. Facebook allowed me to promote and share the work of many hardworking and talented people who deserved to be recognized.
In the Spirited teaser, Will Ferrell plays Ryan Reynolds’ Ghost of Christmas Present.
Singing loudly for all to hear is the finest way to share Christmas happiness. Will Ferrell’s Buddy put it best in Elf, and the star is following up with more big-screen festive comedy.
Spirited, the forthcoming Apple TV+ musical comedy starring Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, puts a unique spin on Charles Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol.
But this time, it won’t be Scrooge, a.k.a. Reynolds’ Clint Briggs, who examines his own past, present, and future; instead, it’ll be Ferrell’s Ghost of Christmas Present.
The two are shown tap dancing in the teaser before embarking on a journey across time to see three ghosts. They fly around Times Square in a magnificent white sphere and then explode.
In the Apple TV+ film ‘Spirited,’ Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell completely rip off ‘A Christmas Carol.’
Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds have created a new holiday musical? Apple TV+ has published the first trailer for “Spirited,” a forthcoming Christmas film in which the two humorous performers team up — and compete in a tap-dancing competition.
Based on Charles Dickens’s classic novella “A Christmas Carol,” “Spirited” centers on the Ghost of Christmas Present, who is presented as a Father Christmas-like figure in the original narrative.
Ferrell portrays the spirit in the (largely) streaming film, who spends each year choosing a new corrupted human to be visited by him and the spirits of Christmases Past and Future. However, when he selects Clint Briggs (Reynolds) as the spirits’ next project, the clever businessman flips the script on him.
What were they calling him? Micro Mike, Little Larry, and Super-Small Steve?” Ferrell muses. “No, Tiny Tim,” an irritated Reynolds responds.
The film also stars Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, Marlow Barkley, and Jen Tullock in addition to Ferrell and Reynolds. Sean Anders, who previously directed Ferrell in “Daddy’s Home” in 2015 and its sequel in 2017, directs the picture and co-wrote the script with John Morris.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, well renowned for their Oscar-winning work on “La La Land” and their Tony-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” wrote the songs for the musical film.
Chloe Arnold choreographed the dance sequences. Anders and Morris produce the picture through Two Grown Men, Ferrell produces through Gloria Sanchez alongside Jessical Elbaum,
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell Put a Fun Spin on ‘A Christmas Carol’ in ‘Spirited’ Teaser
The trailer has more aesthetically stunning — and humorous — musical passages, as well as a rush of action that promises to “boost your spirits.” Octavia Spencer, the duo’s co-star, is also visible throughout the clip.
Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, Joe Tippett, Marlow Barkley, and Jen Tullock feature in the film, which is directed by Sean Anders (Daddy’s Home) and co-written by Anders and John Morris.
Original music by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land) is also featured in the reworked Christmas classic, which is choreographed by Chloe Arnold.
Spirited is produced by Anders and Morris via Two Grown Men, George Dewey via Maximum Effort Productions, Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum via Gloria Sanchez, and David Koplan. Diana Pokorny, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul are among those who have served.
Will Ferrell, full name John William Ferrell, is an American comic actor, writer, and producer best known for his impersonations and depiction of dim-witted yet sympathetic characters.
Ferrell grew up in Irvine, California, where he played varsity football and was known for reading the high school’s morning announcements in several accents. Later, he attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to study sports journalism.
He worked as a sports commentator on local television after graduating in 1990 before pursuing acting and comedy.
He became a member of the Los Angeles improv comedy troupe the Groundlings after a year of training, and in 1995 he was invited to join the television sketch program
Ferrell became a staple on SNL because of his frenetic energy, bizarre humor, and enthusiastic devotion even to a failing joke.
He was well-known for his impersonations, including those of game show host Alex Trebek, sportscaster Harry Caray, and former President George W. Bush.
While on SNL, Ferrell featured in feature films such as the James Bond spoof Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Dick (1999), a comedy of the Watergate investigation, and Zoolander (2001; he also participated in its 2016 sequel).
Biography:
Will Ferrell, a University of Southern California alumnus, grew fascinated with acting while attending University High School in Irvine, California, where he gave regular morning announcements over the public address system in disguised accents.
He began his career as a member of the Los Angeles comedy/improv group The Groundlings, alongside fellow cast members Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, and former Saturday Night Live repertory performers Laraine Newman, Jon Lovitz, and Phil Hartman.
He met Chris Kattan there, and the two became strong friends before going on to work on Saturday Night Live. During his stay at the university, he also appeared on various television shows, including Strangers with Candy, Grace Under Fire, and Living Single.
