In the week that we brought you news of Cruella coming to these shores, we can now confirm that another live-action blockbuster in the Disney canon, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, will be setting up to film in the UK later this year.

Based on the E T A Hoffman book that inspired Tchaikovsky”s famous ballet, the new feature version will be directed by Lasse Hallstrom (The Hundred Foot Journey, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Chocolat) from a screenplay by Ashleigh Powell. Mark Gordon produces with Disney.

Filming dates are not yet locked down, but PI subscribers will see the loose schedule when they log in to follow the project which will be on our site from 14 May. A studio has been confirmed which we will detail a little further down the line, along with crucial UK hires and shoot dates. Some names are already listed on our site, so take a look from 14 May for details.

The new Disney adaptation is more closely based on the original book than the ballet – the latter has become a hugely popular seasonal rites-of-passage in the US – and centres on a little girl whose favourite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive.

Non-subscribers to Production Intelligence can request a free demo here, during which they will be shown remotely around the site.