Pop Star Sabrina Carpenter Lands Lead Role in Universal's 'Alice in Wonderland' Musical

Pop music sensation and actor Sabrina Carpenter is gearing up for a major new chapter in her career: she has signed on to lead and produce an untitled musical film inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland for Universal Pictures. The announcement, which becomes Carpenter's first big-studio feature film in a leading role, comes shortly after she added six Grammy nods to her resume. With producers Marc Platt and the crew from Alloy Entertainment behind her, along with writer and director Lorene Scafaria, the project promises a bold, musical take on Carroll's surreal story of wonder, identity and fantasy.

Sabrina Carpenter's Rise from Disney to Global Pop Icon

Sabrina Carpenter's journey to becoming one of today's most versatile young entertainers has been nothing short of impressive. She quickly established her acting and singing abilities after becoming well-known for her portrayal of Maya Hart on the Disney Channel series 'Girl Meets World.' She made a smooth transition into the film industry with parts in 'Tall Girl,' 'Work It,' and 'The Hate U Give,' where her singing and acting skills blended together.

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Carpenter's music career has taken off in recent years; in 2024, her hits, such as 'Espresso' and 'Please Please Please,' topped international charts and earned her six Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Now, as she steps into a lead role under the Universal production, she's expanding her creative reach once again. Taking on both acting and producing roles, Carpenter is set to play a reinvented "Alice," symbolizing her evolution from teen idol to multifaceted artist and businesswoman.

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A New Spin on the Classic Wonderland

The untitled Alice in Wonderland-inspired musical from Universal is billed as a reinvention of the mythical realm that combines contemporary storytelling with bold musical elements rather than a simple retelling of Carroll's 1865 classic. According to reports, the tone of the movie will capture the surreal magic and chaos of Wonderland but through a more contemporary, emotionally rich lens. The involvement of writer-director Lorene Scafaria points to a story that is centered on characters and is full of heart, comedy, and a lively music.

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Carpenter is joined on the project by producers Marc Platt ('La La Land,' 'Wicked') and Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, indicating a high-profile creative team. While details of the supporting cast and music lineup are still under wraps, industry insiders suggest that Universal aims to make this a large-scale spectacle—one that could rival 'La La Land' and 'The Greatest Showman' in both sound and spectacle.

Filming is expected to start by the end of 2025, with a theatrical release eyed for late 2026.

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What This Means for Carpenter's Career

For Sabrina Carpenter, this project represents both a full-circle moment and an ambitious new frontier. Having grown from a Disney Channel star to a chart-topping global pop phenomenon, she’s now entering the ranks of Hollywood's leading women in musical cinema. Her ability to combine infectious pop energy with emotional storytelling makes her an ideal choice for a contemporary Alice using song to navigate self-discovery. 

Image Courtesy: Broadway World

Carpenter's current 'Short n' Sweet' world tour is selling out arenas all over the world, which further solidifies her status as one of Gen Z's most influential entertainers. In addition to demonstrating her star power, Universal's choice to make Sabrina the focus of a blockbuster musical heralds a new age of pop-driven storytelling in which music and film fluidly blend together.

With Carpenter at its heart, Universal's Alice in Wonderland musical promises to be a dazzling, imaginative journey that redefines a classic for a new generation.

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