Willem Dafoe eyed for Scrooge in Warner Bros. remake of ‘A Christmas Carol'
Sources close to the project report that while no official casting is confirmed, Dafoe — who has worked with Eggers on The Lighthouse, The Northman, and Nosferatu — is a strong candidate for the lead. Their established working relationship and creative chemistry make his involvement likely.
This adaptation of A Christmas Carol, based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella, marks Eggers' first collaboration with Warner Bros. The director is currently committed to directing Werwulf for Focus Features before turning his attention to the Dickens classic.
Eggers is known for his dark, visually rich storytelling style, which has redefined horror and historical fiction in modern cinema. With this upcoming A Christmas Carol remake, Warner Bros. appears poised to offer a darker, more psychological take on the well-worn holiday tale.
The beloved Dickens story has seen countless adaptations over the decades, featuring characters like Scrooge McDuck, The Muppets, and even Barbie. Directors such as Robert Zemeckis and Richard Donner have previously reimagined the tale for the screen. Eggers' version, however, is expected to lean into the eerie and gothic tone of the original novella.
More updates on casting and production are expected as the project develops. If confirmed, Dafoe's Scrooge could become one of the most intriguing interpretations of the character in recent film history.
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