A series of kids’ Christmas books from writer and director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Yesterday) will be adapted for an animated feature film from Locksmith Animation.
The Empty Stocking is being produced for digital platforms by the company. Producer Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story, Tarzan) joins Locksmith’s Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart to oversee the project. The film will be based on the stories of three books — The Empty Stocking, Snow Day, and the forthcoming That Christmas — and will be interwoven into what Curtis calls “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 says. “When I was young Charlie Brown’s Christmas was my favorite Christmas thing, and I love the idea of making something that might be a joy at Christmas. I hope we can make it funny and touching and conjure up some of the magic that Christmas movies have always done for me and my family.”
Locksmith, which recently entered into an agreement with Warner Bros. for development and distribution, will collaborate creatively with Curtis and his team, which includes illustrator Rebecca Cobb, executive Colin Hopkins, and writer Peter Souter. Curtis and Souter will pen the screenplay.
