Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms: Soundtrack, trailer, cast and everything you need to know

2 November 2018, 15:26 | Updated: 5 November 2018, 13:21

Disney’s new adaptation of The Nutcracker will have gingerbread soldiers, an army of mice and the sugar plum fairy grace our screens this Christmas. Here's everything you need to know from the cast to the trailer.

Disney's new live-action film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms has got fans very excited this Christmas. Spoiler – the soundtrack will include music from Tchaikovsky's famous ballet The Nutcracker, Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang.

And if that's not enough to put it on your watch list, then check out the cast, the full trailer and the music:

1. Watch the trailer for 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms'

   The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is Disney's new adaptation of the classic story by E. T. A. Hoffman. The new live-action film opens in cinemas on 2 November this year.

2. The Nutcracker cast - who do you recognise?

   

   The film has a star-studded cast of household names taking on the lead roles. Familiar faces include Keira Knightley, Jack Whitehall, Miranda Hart, Richard E. Grant, Dame Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman. Rising star Mackenzie Foy will play the title role.

3. What happens in the new version of 'The Nutcracker'?

   

   The story follows Clara in her search for a key that will open a mysterious box that belonged to her late mother. The key disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world made up of four realms: the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, the Land of Sweets and the ominous Fourth Realm that is ruled by the tyrant Mother Ginger. Clara must brave the Fourth Realm to retrieve her mother's key and return harmony to the unstable world.

4. Who are the Nutcracker characters – Clara, Sugar Plum Fairy, Mother Ginger and more

   The casting for Disney's Nutcracker is as follows:

   Mackenzie Foy – Clara

   Matthew Macfadyen – Mr. Stahlbaum

   Morgan Freeman – Drosselmeyer

   Keira Knightley – Sugar Plum Fairy

   Dame Helen Mirren – Mother Ginger

   Jack Whitehall – Harlequin

   Ellie Bamber – Louise

   Richard E. Grant – Shiver

   Miranda Hart – Dew Drop Fairy

5. The music – Tchaikovsky's ballet music

   

   The film will use some of the music from Tchaikovsky's iconic ballet The Nutcracker. The famous melodies Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the March from the ballet can be heard in the trailer.

6. The Nutcracer soundtrack – what's the music?

   The original score for the film was composed by Grammy winner James Newton Howard who composed music for King Kong (2005) and the latest Batman trilogy.

   Howard has based the original music on themes and melodies from Tchaikovsky's iconic 1892 ballet score, capturing the magic of both the original ballet and the new story.

   The composer said "The score is very traditional – a big orchestra score – with lots of woodwinds and strings, plus tinkle bells and celeste and chorale music".

   The score was recorded by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and London's Philharmonia Orchestra. Dudamel explained that "Tchaikovsky's epic score always takes me on a journey,"

   "Add a little Disney movie-making magic to this and the results are stunning – an instant holiday classic."

7. The soundtrack – starring Andrea Bocelli

   

   World-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli features on the soundtrack with his son Matteo Bocelli. The pair sing Fall on Me, an original song from Andrea's new album Sì.

   Here's everything you need to know about Andrea Bocelli's new album Sì.

   Andrea shared a teaser about the film on his twitter account:

   Coming soon … 🎶 #DisneysNutcracker
   
   Pre order 'Sì' at: https://t.co/97VoGWKLUj pic.twitter.com/xTKCV9LOTH

   — Andrea Bocelli (@AndreaBocelli) October 15, 2018

8. The soundtrack – starring Lang Lang

   The pianist Lang Lang has also announced that he will be featured on the film's soundtrack. His rendition of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite will be heard in the film alongside original music by James Newton Howard.

   Lang Lang broke the news on twitter:

   I am over the moon to announce that my performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" will be featured in the new @Disney movie, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms." I can't wait for you to hear the work of the incredible contributors. https://t.co/5UPLMcCdVT pic.twitter.com/LNgW9yhCgS

   — Lang Lang (@lang_lang) October 16, 2018

9. The soundtrack – tracks on the album

   The album track list is as follows:

   1. The Nutcracker And The Four Realms
   2. Presents From Mother
   3. Drosselmeyer
   4. Clara's New World
   5. Mouserinks
   6. Just a Few Questions
   7. Sugar Plum And Clara
   8. The Fourth Realm
   9. The Polichinelles (only on the album)
   10. Clara Finds The Key
   11. The Waterfall
   12. The Bridge Fight
   13. Clockwork Mice
   14. The Machine Room Fight
   15. Queen Clara
   16. The Nutcracker Suite – performed by Lang Lang
   17. Fall On Me (end credits) – performed by Andrea Bocelli featuring Matteo Bocelli

10. The premiere – a star-studded affair