The Unbeatable Duo: Johnny Depp & Tim Burton Present a Peculiar Fantasy

Tim Burton takes on the most beloved heroine in children's literature, "Alice in Wonderland." First published in 1897 by British mathematician and author Lewis Carroll, this masterpiece has continuously inspired creators. Tim Burton is one of them. This film is his passion project, a vision he has long wished to bring to the screen, and it has finally come to fruition. Its immense popularity was evident from the sheer number of fans who flocked to the recent Japan premiere.

©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

The film depicts the "aftermath" of "Alice in Wonderland." Here, we find a beautifully grown 19-year-old Alice. One day, while chasing a peculiar White Rabbit with a pocket watch, she tumbles down a rabbit hole. She lands in a strange land called Underland. The peculiar inhabitants she meets there have been awaiting the return of the prophesied savior, Alice, under the tyrannical rule of the cruel Red Queen. However, Alice, having completely forgotten her childhood adventures in this strange world, is bewildered. But as she interacts with the Mad Hatter and the other peculiar inhabitants, she learns of her true destiny and confronts the evil Red Queen to protect the future of Underland.

Familiar characters who have captivated audiences throughout literary history, such as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts, are brought to life with a touch of Burton's signature unsettling "madness." The ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, vividly portraying these eccentric inhabitants, none of whom are quite ordinary.

©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

The heroine Alice is played by Mia Wasikowska, a Cinderella girl who landed this major role at the tender age of twenty. Helena Bonham Carter, known for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," portrays the ferocious Red Queen. Anne Hathaway, from "The Devil Wears Prada," gives a superb performance as the benevolent White Queen. Among these many characters, the most impactful is undoubtedly the Mad Hatter, played by Johnny Depp. Though not a prominent character in the original story, he plays a crucial role that holds the key to the film's narrative.

What truly astonishes viewers is the fantastical visual world. This time, Tim Burton collaborated with Ken Ralston, a visual effects supervisor who has won five Academy Awards for his work on films like "Forrest Gump." Ralston commented on the film, stating, "All the films I've worked on until now felt like they were leading up to this one," referring to the extensive techniques employed, including live-action, animation, CG animation, CG, motion capture, matte painting, and slow motion.

Furthermore, the costume design, akin to works of art, is by Colleen Atwood, an Academy Award-winning costume designer for "Chicago" and "Memoirs of a Geisha." The costumes, adorned with icons symbolizing each character, breathe life into them. "Alice in Wonderland," a fantasy world far beyond imagination, brought to you by the finest cast and crew. On April 17th (Saturday), will the theater become a grand "rabbit hole"?

Simultaneously released in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D
Alice in Wonderland
Nationwide Roadshow Starting April 17th (Saturday)

Director | Tim Burton

Cinematography | Darius Wolski

Visual Effects | Ken Ralston

Costumes | Colleen Atwood

Starring | Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway

Distribution | Walt Disney Studios Japan

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