Toonz Media Group is producing a live-action feature film adaptation of the bestselling adventure-fantasy book Real Santa by William Hazelgrove.
Real Santa is about an unemployed engineer George Kronenfeldt as he decides to prove to his nine-year-old daughter that there really is a Santa Claus. But when Megan tells her father that she will believe in Santa only if she can videotape him, George realises he must become the Real Santa. A funny heartwarming story of parenthood gone wrong that illuminates what lengths parents will go to keep their children happy.
“This story poses a simple question — what would any parent do to keep the magic of Christmas alive for their child? I’m very excited to have this story of a father who will do anything to keep his daughter’s belief in Santa Claus alive made into a feature film from an outstanding company like Toonz. I think Real Santa will take its place alongside classics like Elf and The Santa Claus,” said the author Hazelgrove.
“Real Santa has all the elements to become a global success and I am sure this will be recognised as one of the best Christmas & Santa Claus movies when it hits the theatres. William has weaved the story masterfully and the book is already popular for its character study, which is very important when it is given a feature film adaptation,” said Toonz Media Group chief executive officer P Jayakumar.
Toonz, which launched its feature film division in 2023, will be responsible for all aspects of the film from script to screen. In addition to producing, Toonz will be distributing the film worldwide and managing its L&M.
The deal between the author and Toonz was facilitated by All Media Ventures president and CEO Allan Grafman. Grafman and Hazelgrove will be executive producers. Real Santa is their first project from Rosebud Productions, which is bringing to market Hazelgrove’s 25 published books.
Real Santa is expected to be pitched during the American Film Festival later this year.