Ice Cube
Ice Cube

Ice Cube will be coming *straight outta* Dickensian London to star as Ebeneezer Scrooge in what is to be a remake of “A Christmas Carol.”

The actor/producer/rapper signed up to play the lead in the Universal Pictures modern-day adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, which will see the self-centered money maker as a real estate mogul.

Tim Story is attached to direct.

The project is still in development under the title “Humbug.”



Cube is also teaming up with Tony award winning “Hamilton” director Tommy Kail, for what will be a modern adaptation of another Charles Dickens classic, “Oliver Twist” – the author’s second novel published as a serial from 1837–39, and tells the story of the orphan Oliver Twist, who starts his life in a workhouse and is then sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. He escapes from there and travels to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger, a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal, Fagin.

This updated take on the source material is set up at Disney, and will be a musical that will cross many genres, including, of course, hip-hop, with Ice Cube attached to play Fagin.

No other cast members have been announced at this time.

The musical film will be produced by Ice Cube (via his CubeVision production company), along with Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm, and Marc Platt, who was also behind Broadway’s hit musical “Wicked.”

“Oliver Twist” has been the subject of numerous adaptations across various media, including a highly successful stage musical “Oliver!”, which enjoyed successful long runs on Broadway, tours and revivals, after premiering in the West End in 1960; and the multiple Academy Award-winning 1968 motion picture, directed by Carol Reed and based on the stage musical.

No ETA on “Twist.”

The busy Ice Cube most recently starred in 2 feature films – “Barbershop: The Next Cut” and “Ride Along 2” – both box office successes. He’ll next be seen in the comedy “Fist Fight” Charlie Day, which will be in theaters in February 2017.