Takeaways:
- Sabrina Carpenter will star and produce a new Alice in Wonderland movie musical for Universal Pictures.
- Directed by Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers, Succession), the project reimagines the classic Lewis Carroll tale.
- The announcement follows Sabrina’s breakout success as a Grammy-winning pop star and actress.
Sabrina Carpenter Heads Down the Rabbit Hole
Pop sensation and actress Sabrina Carpenter is officially taking fans into Wonderland. Universal Pictures announced on November 11 that Carpenter will star in and produce a musical film inspired by Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel Alice in Wonderland.
The 26-year-old multi-hyphenate, fresh off her chart-topping hits and Grammy wins, will collaborate with producer Marc Platt, best known for Wicked and the upcoming Wicked: For Good.
Behind the camera, Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers, Succession) is set to write and direct the modern musical adaptation, marking a new twist on the timeless fantasy story. Plot details remain under wraps, but Universal promises a bold new take on the beloved world of Wonderland.
A Modern Musical Reimagining
This new Alice in Wonderland film will arrive over 70 years after Disney’s 1951 animated classic and 15 years after Tim Burton’s 2010 live-action version starring Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska.
Carpenter’s version is expected to bring a fresh, musical spin infused with her signature energy and artistic flair — a perfect fit for the artist who has been redefining pop performance with her theatrical tour sets and storytelling-driven music videos.
“If I’m being pulled in one direction, I’m being pulled that way for a reason,” Carpenter told Glamour UK in 2023, hinting at her desire to return to acting.
From Disney Star to Global Pop Icon
Sabrina Carpenter first rose to fame as Maya Hart in Girl Meets World before transitioning into a successful music career. She has since become a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, earning six nominations for her album Man’s Best Friend (2025).
Despite her massive success in music, Carpenter has always kept acting close to her heart. In 2023, she told Glamour UK, “I hope I get to do more [acting], and there are definitely plans to do so.”
Her Broadway debut as Cady Heron in Mean Girls was cut short by the COVID-19 shutdown — a humbling moment she has since described as a lesson in patience and timing.
A Lifelong Alice in Wonderland Fan
Carpenter’s connection to Alice in Wonderland runs deep. In a 2021 interview with Interview Magazine, she named it her favorite movie, even throwing a Wonderland-themed 16th birthday party in 2015.
That lifelong love for the story makes her upcoming role especially meaningful. “The projects I’ve done over the years are ones I’ve felt connected to,” she said — and this one seems destined to be no exception.
A Creative Legacy Runs in the Family
Creativity is in Sabrina’s DNA. Her aunt is Nancy Cartwright, the legendary voice behind Bart Simpson, while her parents both had backgrounds in music and dance. She’s been performing since childhood — from dance classes at age two to singing lessons at six, and even placing third in Miley Cyrus’ 2009 singing contest, The Next Miley Cyrus Project.
She later signed with Disney, starred in Girl Meets World, and collaborated with Meghan Trainor on her debut single “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying.”
From YouTube Covers to Global Stardom
Like many pop icons, Carpenter began by uploading covers to YouTube at age 10 — performing songs by Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, and The Beatles.
She’s since evolved into one of today’s most confident and self-assured performers. As she told The Sun in 2024:
“If you can’t handle a girl who is confident in her own sexuality, then don’t come to my shows.”
Carpenter has also become known for her witty comebacks — once shutting down lip-sync rumors on TikTok by saying, “I sing live at every show, 100 percent. Would you like to speak to my audio engineers?”
Sabrina Carpenter’s Next Big Chapter
With Alice in Wonderland, Carpenter returns to her acting roots while continuing her evolution as a creative powerhouse. Between her chart-topping hits (“Espresso,” “Please, Please, Please”) and her cinematic instincts, the project feels like a perfect full-circle moment.
Fans can expect a colorful, musical reimagining of the classic tale — one that blends the whimsy of Carroll’s original world with the bold artistry that has made Sabrina Carpenter a household name.
