Across the first couple of trailers for Illumination's animated take on The Grinch, it's been hard to pinpoint concrete examples of the title character – voiced here by Benedict Cumberbatch – being truly mean, which is sort of the point. There's even a song about it. The new footage from the film aims to make that case a little more firmly.
While we've yet to see what tweaks (other than a comedy critter added to the Grinch and usual pooch Max) the new film makes, the story appears to be largely business as usual. After years of being denied Christmas, the furry green one decides that no one else should enjoy it either, and plots to steal the whole thing from his neighbours in Whoville. Which will take some doing, as the town has decided that their celebrations will be three times bigger this year.
Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who – a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer – plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheming threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?
More information about the movie itself has also arrived, with word that Tyler, The Creator will be providing an original song called I Am The Grinch and has collaborated on an new version of the traditional You're A Mean One with score composer Danny Elfman.
Joining Cumberbatch in the voice cast are Pharrell Williams (who has had some success with Illumination in the past) as the narrator, plus Rashida Jones, Keenan Thompson, Cameron Seely and Angela Lansbury. Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney are sharing the director's chair and The Grinch stalks into UK cinemas on 9 November.
Keep up to date with all the latest movie news, click here to subscribe to Empire on Great Magazines and have the latest issue delivered to your door every month.