Sabrina Carpenter is taking on her biggest screen role yet in Universal’s upcoming musical Alice in Wonderland movie, stepping into the curious shoes of Alice herself. The tea party just got a popstar upgrade. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project will reimagine Lewis Carroll’s beloved story through a modern, music-fueled lens, blending whimsy, humor, and Carpenter’s chart-topping voice.
Carpenter is also producing the film. This version of Wonderland is said to be inspired by the classic, but not a complete retelling. This means audiences can expect a fresh two at the Mad Hatter’s tea parties, the Queen’s temper, and those famously cryptic riddles.
A Pop Princess in Wonderland
The musical Alice in Wonderland movie is directed and written by Lorena Scafaria, known for her work on Hustlers and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. She’s not the first person you’d expect to be behind a fairytale, but that’s what makes it intriguing. Scafaria has a knack for mixing glitz and grit, and in Wonderland, that’s practically the house blend.
Sabrina Carpenter reportedly pitched the film herself, bringing along a detailed concept book filled with visuals, costume ideas, and early song inspirations. The studio bought quickly, and it’s no surprise since Carpenter has a recent streak of success: two hit singles, a sold-out tour, and a Grammy nomination. Now, she’s ready to put her voice to use in a different kind of wonderland.
If you’ve seen her perform live, you know her stage presence walks the line between playfully cheeky and genuinely magnetic. Which isn’t a car cry from how Alice may behave if she traded tea cakes for pop concerts.
Follow the White Rabbit of Reinvention
Few tales get reimagined as often as Alice in Wonderland. From Disney’s colorful animation to Tim Burton’s gothic fantasy, each version reflects its era. The musical Alice in Wonderland movie aims to do the same for the 2020s. According to Variety, the story will explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and fame, which feel at home in Carpenter’s wheelhouse.
There’s speculation that this version may shift Alice from a daydreaming girl to a curiouser young woman, navigating fame and surreal expectations, like the modern pop world. Wonderland, after all, has always been a metaphor for confusion and reinvention, the perfect setting for someone caught between two realities.
And if Sabrina Carpenter’s recent performances are any clue, she’ll handle the absurdity with a wink. She once joked that if she ever fell down a rabbit hole, she’d “ask for Wi-Fi first.”
What We Know About the Musical Alice in Wonderland Movie
While plot details are tight-lipped, insiders suggest the film will feature original songs written for Carpenter’s vocal range. Playbill reports that the tone will be vibrant and theatrical, with production design pulling inspiration from classic storybook illustrations and surrealist artwork. Think of candy-colored chaos with a strong melody.
The musical numbers are expected to lean into Carpenter’s pop background, but with the storytelling punch of a stage show. Given she’s been praised for blending humor, honesty, and heart in her songwriting, that combination could make for a Wonderland worth getting lost in.
A Modern Fairy Tale in Motion
Universal hasn’t announced a release date yet, but filming is expected to begin later in 2025, putting the musical Alice in Wonderland movie on track for a possible 2026 release. If curiosity killed the Cheshire Cat, satisfaction would bring it back when Sabrina Carpenter premieres as Alice. Until then, we’ll keep following that glitter-covered rabbit and hope there’s a catchy tune waiting at the end of the Queen’s keep.