Even though it’s not set to hit theaters until the holiday season next year, Sony has dropped an early look at the upcoming 3D animated co-production with Aardman, “Arthur Christmas.”
The film will offer a slight twist on the Santa Claus beloved by children around the world, revealing that he has two sons: the younger, Arthur, and the elder, Steve, who runs the elf labor camps with “military precision.” The Brit heavy voice cast includes James McAvoy (Arthur), Hugh Laurie (Steve), Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton and Bill Nighy. We didn’t think much of the project when we first heard about it, but it actually looks like a charming bit of fun, which we guess shouldn’t be a surprise considering it’s the studio behind the “Wallace & Gromit” shorts and features (but they were also behind the likes of “Flushed Away,” so really, this could go either way.)
The film will hit right in the sweet spot for family fare, on November 23, 2011. Trailer after the jump.