Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is taking her talents to the big screen in a new musical film inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, according to Variety.
The untitled Universal Pictures project marks Carpenter’s first major studio feature role. She will also serve as a producer alongside Marc Platt, whose company, Marc Platt Productions, is behind major hits such as La La Land and Wicked.
A Fresh Take on a Timeless Tale
While plot details remain under wraps, the film is described as inspired by Carroll’s original story, suggesting a modern and musical reinterpretation rather than a direct adaptation. India Today notes that this project aims to blend fantasy with contemporary themes, offering a whimsical yet relatable story for today’s audiences.
Lorene Scafaria, known for directing Hustlers and writing Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, will write and direct the feature. Her background in both comedy and drama suggests the musical may balance emotional storytelling with humor and spectacle.
Carpenter’s Hollywood Leap
Following the Grammy-nominated success of her album Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter’s move into producing and acting solidifies her growing influence in entertainment. Her prior screen credits include Tall Girl and The Hate U Give, but this Universal musical marks her first lead role in a major motion picture.
According to Deadline, Carpenter initially pitched the project to Universal in 2024, with Scafaria joining soon after. The collaboration reportedly evolved into a full-scale musical with strong studio backing.
Behind the Scenes
Production will be overseen by Universal executives Ryan Jones and Jacqueline Garell, alongside producers from Alloy Entertainment. The project is still in early development, and no release date or additional cast details have been confirmed.
This isn’t Carpenter’s first time attached to an Alice in Wonderland concept. Back in 2020, Netflix had acquired a musical version from her production banner, At Last Productions, but that deal never materialized.
Fans speculate Carpenter could portray Alice herself, though Universal has yet to confirm her role. The combination of Carpenter’s pop artistry, Scafaria’s storytelling, and Universal’s cinematic scale hints at a visually bold and emotionally charged reimagining of Wonderland.
If realized as expected, this project could become one of the most anticipated musical films of 2026, blending classic fantasy with modern pop sensibility.
