Sabrina Carpenter, 26, is Set to Star in a Bold New ‘Alice in Wonderland’–Inspired Musical Film

Just when you thought Hollywood was out of ideas, they decide to reboot a public domain classic for the umpteenth time. This time, it’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and the latest star to fall down the rabbit hole is none other than pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter. Yes, the “Espresso” singer is trading her mic for a trip to a psychedelic fantasy world, and honestly, we’re here for the beautiful chaos.

Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Wonderland’ Ambition

Fans have even sought to wishcast the singer in a potential “Mamma Mia” movie. Judy Cramer even said to Deadline, “She’d be a goddess or some relation who would look very much like Meryl Streep.” Apparently, Sabrina Carpenter marched into Universal Pictures about a year ago armed with a lookbook and a vision. She’s not just starring in this modern musical take on Lewis Carroll’s classic—she’s also producing it. It’s a classic “I’m not just a pop star, I’m a businesswoman” move, and it seems to be working.

This new film is being pitched as a musical, which makes perfect sense given Sabrina Carpenter’s day job. With her recent Grammy nominations and chart-topping hits, her musical talent is undeniable. The real question is whether her acting chops, last seen in the 2022 film “Emergency,” are still sharp after being on the back burner. Then again, spending years on Girl Meets World probably builds a certain kind of resilience for Carpenter.

A project this ambitious requires a solid crew, and Universal appears to be assembling an interesting team. Lorene Scafaria, who is known for “Hustlers” is on board to write and direct. If she can handle a crew of scamming strippers led by Jennifer Lopez, she can probably handle a talking cat and a mad tea party.

Lorene Scafaria’s involvement suggests this won’t be your typical Disney-fied fairytale. We might be in for something with a bit more edge and, dare we say, substance. Also on board is Marc Platt, the producer who helped bring “Wicked” to both Broadway and the big screen. The producer said on Variety, “It’s a contemporary story with an allegory to and based loosely on “Alice In Wonderland.” His track record with musicals is impressive, so there’s a glimmer of hope that this project could actually be good.

Can Another ‘Alice’ Adaptation Stand Out?

Rounding out the production team is Alloy Entertainment, the minds behind teen drama juggernauts like “Gossip Girl” and “Pretty Little Liars.” So, expect a healthy dose of drama and impeccable, if slightly unrealistic, fashion. Let’s be real: the world isn’t exactly crying out for another Alice in Wonderland movie. We’ve had the iconic 1951 Disney animation, Tim Burton’s visually… interesting live-action films starring Johnny Depp, and even a horror video game adaptation with American McGee’s Alice.

The market is saturated with trippy visuals and nonsensical narratives. So, what can make this version different? The musical aspect is the obvious answer. Perhaps the movie could lean into the darker, more satirical elements of Carroll’s work that often get lost in more family-friendly versions. Or maybe it’ll just be a feature-length music video with a massive budget. Either way, it’s bound to be a spectacle.

This is a bold move for Sabrina Carpenter, who is at the peak of her music career. Is she the modern Alice we’ve been waiting for? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: we’ll be watching, popcorn in hand, ready for whatever madness unfolds.

Final Thoughts

For Sabrina Carpenter, who’s currently riding high in the music world, taking on Alice could be career-defining. Will she become the twenty-first century’s answer to the iconic character? Will this remake stay true to the source material, or will this remake get lost among endless streaming releases? Nobody knows just yet, but one thing is certain: we’ll be watching to see how far down the rabbit hole Sabrina Carpenter goes.