Smurfs visionary signs on to make Santa Claus origin movie

Smurfs director Raja Gosnell is tracing the tale of Santa Claus for a new origin movie.
Gosnell has signed on to direct the live-action family film Santa: The Adventure Begins from Tamara Taillie’s script.
The feature centres on St. Nicholas as an orphan with dreams of becoming a toymaker.
Principal photography is set to begin later this year in Germany, according to Deadline.
Producer Kia Jam says, “My producing partners and I are thrilled to have Raja on board as our director for this film. He has proven time and time again that he is the master of family films and is the perfect filmmaker for us and our origin story of Santa Claus.”
Gosnell’s credits include both Smurfs movies, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and Never Been Kissed.
As an editor, he worked on classics like Pretty Woman, Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire.