Zemeckis is equally excited about the process: "As I am trying to present [performance capture] to the world we needed a classic that was very familiar, but re-envisioned in a way that's completely unique," he explains. "A Christmas Carol was perfect. It's a fabulous time-travelling story - that's what I like about it!" This coming from the man who made the greatest time-travel movie ever - Back to the Future - that's a pretty good reason to go see A Christmas Carol.
Sadly those holding out hope that Zemeckis will go back to directing movies on celluloid are going to be trés disappointed. Bob Cratchit would have better luck asking Scrooge for a million pounds to buy a strip club. Directors are known for being control freaks and since performance capture lets them control absolutely everything, it's the best playground a film-maker could ever hope for. Thus Cast Away will likely remain the last flick shot on film by Zemeckis.
Released on November 6th (surprisingly early for a festive movie) A Christmas Carol also stars Gary Oldman as both Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim (?!) and Jacob Marley, the spirit that forewarns Ebenezer of his meeting with the ghosts of past, present and future. Zemeckis veterans Bob Hoskins and Robin Wright Penn also star as warehouse worker Mr. Fezziwig and Scrooge's under-appreciated girlfriend Belle respectively.
Christmas is just around the corner whether you like it or not, so what better way to get in the mood than watch Charles Dickens classic story on the big screen in 3D? Oi! Don't you 'bah humbug' me!
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Empire Magazine: Issue 245