Netflix released the trailer for
Klaus, an original animated film coming to the streaming service (and select theaters) this holiday season.
Directed by
Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos,
Klaus is somewhat more grounded in its interpretation of Santa's origin story, but that's not to say it doesn't have its wacky moments. The premise follows a failed postal trainee Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) who gets exiled to a frozen town above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed the "unhappiest place on Earth," Smeerensburg is filled with feuding, grumpy locals. But after meeting a local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones) and discovering Klaus (J.K. Simmons), the mysterious carpenter who crafts handmade toys, the trio set out to return joy and happiness to the town.
What immediately stands out in the trailer is the 2D animation, which definitely has a retro look giving off a classic Disney vibe.
“We needed to find ways to demolish the technical limitations of traditional animation,” said Pablos (via
Indiewire).
“To that end, we developed the tools and means to make sure this film still had that nostalgic quality, but was presented in a completely different way. If we did our job right, you’ll feel like every frame is a hand-drawn painting in motion, where every element is perfectly integrated and bathed in beautiful light, with the charm that only the imperfection of the human hand can produce.”
When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar® winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care. An animated holiday comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, KLAUS co-stars Joan Cusack, Will Sasso and Norm Macdonald.
Klaus starts streaming on Netflix on November 15.
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