Keira Knightley to Play Sugar Plum Fairy in Disney's Live-Action THE NUTCRACKER

Variety reports that Keira Knightley will portray the Sugar Plum Fairy in Disney's upcoming live action feature THE NUTCRACKER. As previously announced, Mackenzie Foy will play Clara. Misty Copeland and Morgan Freeman will also star.

Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1816 story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King", the latest version of the classic tale will be titled "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms." In the movie, "one of Clara's Christmas toys - a Nutcracker doll - comes to life and battles the evil Mouse King with seven heads."

Lasse Hallström will helm the Disney project from a script by Ashleigh Powell. Mark Gordon is producing, while Lindy Goldstein is executive producing.

Knightley's relationship with Disney Studios began with her starring roles in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. She will next be seen in the big screen dramedy "Collateral Beauty," opposite Will Smith and Kate Winslet. The actress recently made her Broadway debut in an adaptation of THERESE RAQUIN, opposite Judith Light.

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