Morgan Freeman is set to join Disney's upcoming live-action movie adaptation of "The Nutcracker," according to a new report.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that the Oscar winner is currently in talks to join the ensemble, which already includes Mackenzie Foy ("Interstellar," the "Twilight" movies) as the protagonist Clara, and America Ballet Theatre star Misty Copeland as the lead ballerina. According to THR, Freeman will play the character Drosselmeyer, a mysterious uncle-like figure to Clara who gives her the titular toy, which then comes to life and takes her on a magical journey.

"The Nutcracker" was famously adapted into the classic Tchaikovsky ballet, though this film version, called "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms," will apparently draw more heavily from the ballet's source material, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," a story written by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann in the early 1800s. "The Four Realms" will reportedly feature only one dance sequence, starring Copeland (who's making her feature debut in the flick).

Here's the official logline for the film:

The story, set at Christmas time, follows a young girl named Clara whose favorite toy, a Nutcracker, comes alive. After he defeats the Mouse King, he takes Clara away to a magical kingdom inhabited by dolls.

Lasse Hallstrom is directing the flick, which doesn't have a release date yet. It's expected to begin production sometime this fall.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]

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