Summary

• That Christmas features an all-star voice cast, including Brian Cox as Santa Claus, in a festive family-focused animated film.
• Written by Richard Curtis, known for Love Actually, the images released give a peek into the charming Christmas moments in the movie.
• With a mix of joy, excitement, and surprises, That Christmas promises to be a heartwarming holiday treat for audiences.

The first images have been revealed for the upcoming holiday movie That Christmas. That Christmas is an animated film focusing on a series of family stories that take place leading up to Christmas. Its voice cast features Succession’s Brian Cox as the voice of Santa Claus, with a supporting cast including Bill Nighy, Fiona Shaw, Rhys Darby, Jodie Whittaker, Katherine Parkinson, Guz Khan, Rosie Cavaliero, and Lolly Adefope.

As per Collider, new images have been released for That Christmas. They include a look at a shocked Santa Claus hanging upside down while holding a sack that is likely filled with gifts. Another image features a woman with children behind her, donning a hat that says “Director.” A third image shows three kids outside in the snow looking confused, with the subject of their confusion left out of the frame. The final image shows two characters outside in festive, snow-filled surroundings. The sign in the shop behind them reads, “Closed for the weather.”

Why Richard Curtis Returning To A Christmas Movie Is A Great Move

That Christmas is written by Richard Curtis, who is best known for writing and directing Love Actually, a beloved holiday classic. Thus, the animated movie represents a return to form for Curtis, as he revisits the subgenre that he found much success in before. Joining Curtis on the creative team is Simon Otto, who is a first time feature director. Otto is best known for supporting character and animation work on the How to Train Your Dragon movies, as well as the 2006 film Flushed Away.

With this duo, That Christmas will unite a veteran talent with a newer directorial voice. This pairing is sure to give a fresh taste to Curtis' established screenwriting voice. Based on the synopsis and the images, it seems That Christmas will be an ensemble piece with a menagerie of characters and smaller stories. A narrative like this fits right in Curtis’ sweet spot, as that is similar to the structure of Love Actually. This overlap bodes well for That Christmas, as Love Actually is a beloved film even today.

Love Actually is currently available to rent on Prime Video.

The images alone make That Christmas look like a charming and sweet animated feature. Each released image shows a moment in time that represents a range of Christmas joy, excitement, and surprises. Exactly what is driving those emotions will be revealed as That Christmas continues its development and prepares for release later this year.

Source: Collider