Of the many properties ripe for a live-action remake or retelling, The Nutcracker seems like one of the less obvious choices for Disney’s ever-growing roster, but, like Pete’s Dragon, maybe that’s what makes it sort of perfect. As evidenced by the casting of Misty Copeland, Disney is definitely sticking to the ballet concept for their new adaptation of the classic story, but she won’t be the only one dancing her way across the big screen; today brings word that Keira Knightley has joined the cast of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, in which she’ll play the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Variety reports on Knightley’s casting in Disney’s new live-action take on The Nutcracker, which also stars Interstellar’s Mackenzie Foy as young Clara and Morgan Freeman as Drosselmeyer, the girl’s mysterious godfather who brings her toys to life. In a perfect bit of casting, Knightley will play the ethereal Sugar Plum Fairy, who rules the Land of Sweets while the Nutcracker Prince is away.

Based on the classic story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker was revised by Alexandre Dumas and later adapted into the popular, enduring ballet. Lasse Hallstrom (The Hundred-Foot Journey) is directing Disney’s live-action version, which is fully titled The Nutcracker the Four Realms, and will retell the story of a young girl whose nutcracker toy comes to life, revealing himself to be a prince from a magical far away land.

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