Sabrina Carpenter is heading down the rabbit hole. The pop star and actor will produce and star in a new movie musical inspired by Lewis Carroll’s "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland," with Universal Pictures developing the project alongside an impressive creative team.
Variety reports that Carpenter first brought the idea to Universal in 2024, with Lorene Scafaria subsequently boarding as writer and director. The package also includes powerhouse producers Marc Platt ("Wicked") and Alloy Entertainment’s Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton, signaling a major studio swing at a contemporary, music-forward take on a classic.
Sabrina Carpenter Leads Universal’s New Alice Musical
Carpenter will topline the reimagining while also serving as a producer, marking a milestone moment as she transitions her chart-topping momentum to the big screen. Best known for her breakout on Disney Channel’s "Girl Meets World" and a rapidly ascending music career boasting two Grammy-nominated albums, Carpenter has recently balanced stadium-ready hits with on-camera work in "The Hate U Give" and Netflix’s "Tall Girl."
While Universal has yet to reveal a title, plot, or timeline, the project is described as a full-fledged movie musical influenced by Carroll’s Victorian-era tale. That touchstone has endured through generations of adaptations, from Disney’s 1951 animated landmark to two live-action Disney films — Tim Burton’s "Alice in Wonderland" (2010) and James Bobin’s "Alice Through the Looking Glass" (2016). Universal’s take is poised to add a fresh studio-backed interpretation to the iconic canon, this time built around Carpenter’s voice and presence.
Scafaria, who wrote and directed the acclaimed hit "Hustlers," will pen and helm the feature. Her knack for character-driven storytelling with a sharp pop sensibility makes her a compelling fit for a modern musical, particularly one that blends fantasy, wit, and female-driven agency.
A Creative Team Built For A Modern Fairy Tale
Behind the camera, the producing lineup combines musical pedigree and YA world-building. Marc Platt brings extensive stage-to-screen experience, including Universal’s "Wicked" films, while Alloy Entertainment’s Morgenstein and Koplovitz Dutton have shepherded culture-defining series such as "Gossip Girl" and "Pretty Little Liars." Together with Carpenter and Scafaria, the team suggests an Alice that is glossy, character-centric, and primed for contemporary audiences.
Per Variety, sources close to the deal indicate that Carpenter was the catalyst for the project. Her long-standing fascination with the material goes back years: she celebrated an "Alice in Wonderland"-themed Sweet 16 in 2015 and previously circled a separate, modernized take on the story during the pandemic era.
In 2020, Netflix announced Carpenter would star in and produce "ALICE," described as a modern-day musical set at a festival called WONDERLAND. That iteration never moved forward, and Universal has not indicated any connection between that earlier concept and the current film. With no official title or story details yet, it remains unclear how closely this new musical will mirror any of Carpenter’s prior development work.
How Universal’s Alice Could Stand Apart
Universally known but endlessly reinterpretable, Carroll’s source material offers wide latitude in tone and structure. From psychedelic whimsy to darker coming-of-age allegory, "Alice" has proven durable across mediums. A studio-scale musical anchored by a current pop powerhouse gives Universal the chance to blend a familiar narrative framework with original songs and a modern lens.
Scafaria’s "Hustlers" showcased a filmmaker adept at balancing humor, heart, and cultural commentary. That sensibility, paired with Platt’s musical know-how and Alloy’s track record connecting with young adult audiences, points to an Alice that privileges character and performance while still delivering the spectacle fans expect from a major studio fantasy musical.
Carpenter’s onstage charisma and vocal range add another distinctive layer. As recent years have seen music-driven films and series reenergize audience interest, a pop-forward "Alice" led by an artist squarely at the center of the zeitgeist feels well-timed.
Carpenter’s Big-Screen Milestone
Though Carpenter is already a household name in music, this project marks a new chapter on the film side. After supporting turns and early success as Maya Hart on "Girl Meets World," she now steps into her first lead role in a feature, while also taking on a producing role for a major studio film. It’s a notable progression that aligns with her expanding creative portfolio.
Details beyond Carpenter’s involvement and the core creative team are being kept under wraps. No additional casting, songwriters, or release plans have been announced. For now, the headlines belong to the talent: Carpenter guiding a beloved property, Scafaria steering the ship, and Universal assembling a team built for a bold musical swing.
However this iteration shapes up, the combination of Carroll’s enduring story and a chart-topping lead gives Universal an attention-grabbing foundation. With the right music and a clear point of view, Alice’s trip through Wonderland could find new life for the streaming-and-theatrical era — led by a star who’s proven she can captivate audiences on any stage.
