Apple Inks Deal for 'A Christmas Carol' Musical Starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell

[MacRumors]

Apple has picked up the rights to "A Christmas Carol," which is a live action musical that's set to star Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, reports Variety.

Prior to acquiring the musical, based on the classic novel "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Apple entered into a heated bidding war with rivals like Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock​

Apple is said to have offered a "lavish" deal that "blew away other offers." Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds will both make millions, with Apple planning to shell out "north of $60 million" just for talent.

Reynolds and Ferrell stand to make a staggering amounts as producers and stars, along with significant paydays for writer-directors Sean Anders and John Morris ("Daddy's Home," "Instant Family"). Fees for talent alone will clock in at north of $60 million, according to numerous insiders. That includes Anders and Morris' $10 million to $15 million paydays for creating the movie and overseeing its production.

Reynolds is said to have been asking for as much as $27 million for acting and producing services during early negotiations, and ultimately was requesting as much as $35 million. Ferrell, meanwhile, was asking for $25 million to star and produce.

It's not known what Apple ultimately paid, but the deal supposedly includes "unusual provisions" that may ultimately become the standard for digital content.

The filmmakers wanted to keep the rights to the original music written for the film, though Apple might have negotiated to retain those rights. Filmmakers also asked for the movie's copyright to revert back to them in 20 to 25 years, though it is also not known if Apple agreed to that.

"A Christmas Carol" will be added to Apple's Apple TV+ streaming service, and it could also see a theatrical release as some of the films that Apple has purchased will be in the theater before debuting on Apple TV+.

Separately, Variety also did an interview with Jennifer Aniston, who is starring in the upcoming Apple TV+ show "The Morning Show." Aniston goes into some detail about working for Apple and preparing for the role, and it's worth a read for those interested in the series.

Apple TV+ will premiere on November 1 with titles like "The Morning Show," but it's not known specifically when "A Christmas Carol" will be available.

Article Link: Apple Inks Deal for 'A Christmas Carol' Musical Starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell

 

[bpeeps]

The editor did Will Ferrell dirty with the stock image they picked.

Cue complaints about Apple TV+.

 

[gaximus]

Wow I didn't realize how old Will Farrell was getting.

 

[lostngone]

And now you know why my iPhone costs so much....

 

[pottmi]

A remake of the Christmas Carol.

Who says Apple can't innovate.

 

[jimbobb24]

Hollywood is ultimately a small business. The amount of money the tech giants can bring into Hollywood is ridiculous by comparison. Not sure if the investment will be worth it but a good time to work in Hollywood.

 

[emmab2006]

I Hope Apple like the word F***

 

[samcraig]

Because what the world needs most is yet another version of A Christmas Carol. #thinkdifferent

 

[Rogifan]

So this is what Apple execs think the company should be spending its money on?

 

[rmoliv]

Why does Apple TV+ have to be so booooooring?

 

[loekf]

No no no.. w a s t e o f m o n e y

 

[BWhaler]

Two of the funniest guys alive. Plus Christmas?

Count me in.

 

[Jakexb]

I am completely fascinated by this Apple TV stuff. I honestly can't tell if Apple is genius or insane to pursue this, but I do appreciate that they're going all in. Hey, if you're going to do it, do it big.

Best case, they're trying to make the TV equivalent of the blue imessage bubble. Shows and movies that will make people feel left if they're not (or can't) watch them. It nudges you toward Apple products and de-commodifies the tech. Anyone can have a nice screen, but you'll be missing out on water cooler conversations about shows and movies with your Android life.

 

[MMX2]

Maybe this should have been a sequel to ELF...

 

[WannaGoMac]

Hollywood is going to have a difficult time competing with the huge salaries that streaming services are tossing everywhere.

 

[FightTheFuture]

It nudges you toward Apple products and de-commodifies the tech. Anyone can have a nice screen, but you'll be missing out on water cooler conversations about shows and movies with your Android life.

Nail on the head. Like I couldn’t sit through any Amazon Prime originals, but it’s a value add to a Prime subscription.

 

[Bitácora]

Except “The Foundation Series”, the rest seems so boring to me, I wouldn't even take the free year.

 

[CarlJ]

Deadpool as the Ghost of Christmas Future?

Apple has the war chest to outbid the purely content-provider competition. Will be interesting to see how often this happens going forward.

 

[fmcshan]

Why spend more money making movies when that money could be spent developing hardware and (much needed) software updates.

 

[now i see it]

Will Ferrell?

 

[alexfoxy]

At first glance I thought the image was a deep fusion comparison.

 

[OriginalMacRat]

And now you know why my iPhone costs so much....

Whatever it takes so Tim can have lunch with Oprah.

 

[calstanford]

Think Different company is becoming 'Do the same **** as everyone else' company.

I guess Tim Cook will only go once the stock tanks.

 

[hortod1]

Chuck Dickens is rolling over in his grave

 

[ugahairydawgs]

I love anything to do with The Christmas Carol. And it has these two.

First thing that Apple has talked about for the TV service that I actually want to watch.