EXCLUSIVE: Monarch Media has enlisted Kali Bailey to adapt the screenplay for The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a live-action feature adaptation of the children’s book by L. Frank Baum.
First published in 1902, Baum’s book follows Santa Claus from an abandoned baby in a magical forest near Oz, to his beloved role of spreading peace, love and lots of toys at Christmastime. Recognized as one of the greatest fantasy writers of the 20th century, Baum is best known for his 14-book series, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which of course inspired the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz.
Monarch principals Steve Barnett, Alan Powell and Vicky Patel will produce the new movie.
This isn’t Bailey’s first time working with the Monarch Media team, having co-written the company’s coming-of-age film A Week Away, which spawned the Angel Network series of the same name. She went on to co-direct multiple episodes of the spinoff series and also wrote and directed the Angel Network sci-fi film The Lightning Code.
Speaking to the origins of the Life and Adventures movie, Monarch’s Barnett said: “I’ve been obsessed with the origins of Santa Claus for a long time, so discovering that the incredible L. Frank Baum had explored that backstory was really exciting. Santa is one of the few fictional, global icons, and this story taps into that shared mythology. Kali has created a sweeping, four-quadrant adventure that feels timeless yet fresh—a big, emotional ride that will connect with everyone around the world, across cultures and generations.”
Monarch’s credits include producing the Richard Linklater film Hit Man, starring Glen Powell, and the animated feature Tangles, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Seth Rogen and others, which premiered to critical acclaim at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Their comedy Babies, directed by Lauren Miller Rogen, and starring Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, David Strathairn, Sharon Stone, Ed Helms and Issa Rae, is slated to premiere at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival and will be released theatrically this fall.
Monarch is also producing an untitled Nick Jonas holiday rom-com for Netflix, to be directed by Ari Sandal, and is currently prepping a remake of coming-of-age film A Walk to Remember.
Bailey is repped by First Story Entertainment and attorney Joshua Lastine of Lastine Entertainment Law.
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