Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)
A live-action Gothic fantasy adaptation of Lewis Carroll's works.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
In 2010, Tim Burton directed a live-action Gothic fantasy film for Walt Disney Pictures, adapted from Lewis Carroll's stories. Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay. The cast includes Mia Wasikowska as the live-action lead, alongside Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Matt Lucas, Helena Bonham Carter, and Crispin Glover. Voice actors include Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Christopher Lee, Paul Whitehouse, and Barbara Windsor. The story follows nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh, who returns to Wonderland after falling down a rabbit hole. There, she is called to slay the Jabberwock and fulfill a prophecy, aiding the White Queen against the Red Queen.
Disney brought Burton on board in December 2007 to direct two 3D projects, including a remake of *Frankenweenie*. Principal photography ran from September 2008 for three months, with shooting locations entirely in the United Kingdom. The production relied heavily on post-production visual effects, combining live-action footage with motion-capture sequences. Danny Elfman, a frequent Burton collaborator, composed an original score. The film premiered at London's Odeon Leicester Square on February 25, 2010, and was released in the UK and US on March 5 in Disney Digital 3-D, RealD 3D, IMAX 3D, and standard theaters.
Earning over $1.025 billion worldwide, it became the fifth-highest-grossing film during its run and the second-highest-grossing film of 2010. Among Disney's live-action remakes, it ties with *Mulan* as the third most expensive and ranks as the fourth-highest-grossing adaptation of its kind. The film received three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. At the 83rd Academy Awards, it won Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, with a nomination for Best Visual Effects. It also earned numerous other accolades.
Though not the first live-action fairy tale film, *Alice in Wonderland* is widely credited with sparking a trend of green-lighting similar live-action fantasy projects, especially at Walt Disney Studios. A sequel, *Alice Through the Looking Glass*, followed on May 27, 2016.
**Plot**
In 1871 London, nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh grieves her father's death and struggles with unsettling recurring dreams and the pressures of high society.
- box_office
- approximately $1.025 billion
Lore & Background
Alice in Wonderland began development in December 2007, when Tim Burton was asked to direct two 3D films for Disney, including the remake of Frankenweenie. Production began in September 2008, concluded within three months, and was shot entirely in the United Kingdom. The film underwent extensive post-production and visual effects, including live-action and motion-capture sequences. Danny Elfman composed an original theme. The film premiered in London at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 25, 2010, and was released in Disney Digital 3-D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D formats as well as in standard theaters on March 5.
Reader's Guide
Alice in Wonderland generated over $1.025 billion in ticket sales, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film during its theatrical run and the second-highest-grossing film of 2010. Among Disney's live-action adaptations, it is tied for third-most-expensive alongside Mulan and the fourth-highest-grossing readaptation to date. It received three nominations at the 68th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and at the 83rd Academy Awards won Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, with a nomination for Best Visual Effects. While not the first film in its genre, Alice in Wonderland is credited with starting a trend of live-action fairy tale and fantasy films being green-lit, particularly from Walt Disney Studios. A follow-up film, Alice Through the Looking Glass, was released on May 27, 2016.
Did You Know?
- The film was shot entirely in the United Kingdom over three months starting September 2008.
- Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter character has orange hair as an allusion to mercury poisoning suffered by hatters.
- Helena Bonham Carter's character Iracebeth / Red Queen is
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