4 Fascinating Facts about The Grinch

The Grinch – the most captivating animated film of Christmas, with the story of the green-furred little mischief and his plan to steal Christmas, has officially hit theaters amid the eager anticipation of families everywhere. With its unique portrayal, from the standout green fur to the perpetually grumpy face, the Grinch has truly sparked curiosity and delight among children and garnered adult audiences’ attention. So, what are the reasons that make an animated film about a ‘classy villain’ so irresistibly special? Let’s explore together!

Based on the famous work of the literary giant Dr. Seuss

Author Dr. Seuss (real name Theodor Seuss Geisel) was an American writer, poet, caricaturist, and renowned screenwriter. He is regarded as one of the top 10 most beloved children’s authors of all time and has won prestigious awards such as the Oscar, Emmy, Peabody, and Pulitzer. His artistic legacy includes numerous popular children’s works, selling over 600 million copies worldwide, and were translated into more than 25 different languages. Among them, the story of the green furry creature titled ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!’ is always mentioned in all-time favorite bedtime story rankings for young readers and has become a part of childhood memories for many generations.

Chris Meledandri, the founder and CEO of Illumination, shared: “Since I was a child, I’ve always loved characters with villainous traits, seeing them perform not-so-noble actions, and then witnessing their redemption. Many of the films produced by Illumination feature such characters, so ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!’ holds great appeal for me. Furthermore, there are many Dr. Seuss books in my home.”

Quality assured by the Illumination studio

Dubbed as one of the ‘Big Four’ in the animation industry, Chris Meledandri’s Illumination studio, previously holding the position of Director at 20th Century Fox Animation, owns a myriad of adorable characters that captivate audiences despite their whimsical antics. From the army of yellow minions with their peculiar language but unexpectedly lovable nature to the super cool and super crazy bunny Snowball in The Secret Life of Pets, they all create global sensations with audiences of all ages, achieving staggering box office revenues that not every animated film can attain.

The total revenue of films produced by Illumination has now reached $4.7 billion. Recently, Illumination was also recognized by the prestigious Fast Company magazine in its list of the World’s Most Innovative Brands. Having successfully adapted two other books by Seuss into films, namely Horton Hears a Who! (2008) and The Lorax (2012), it is fair to say that no one could have transformed The Grinch into a more suitable 3D animated film than Chris Meledandri.

With The Grinch, one of the goals that Illumination set during the process of bringing this six-decade-old story to the big screen was to find a way to make the film resonate with contemporary audiences. However, given their dominant position in the animation world for over a decade, with a track record of creating a plethora of incredibly sweet and adorable characters along with stories full of surprises and allure, the quality assurance suggests that the film has the potential to continue Illumination’s success in animated filmmaking in 2018.

The Contribution of “Doctor Strange” Star – Benedict Cumberbatch

Another irresistible aspect of The Grinch is the warm, velvety voice with proper British enunciation provided by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his roles in “Sherlock Holmes” and “Doctor Strange.” With his extensive voice acting experience, the British actor promises to bring a completely new version of the Grinch – one that is not only more humane and humorous but also more wicked.

The image of a Grinch who despises Christmas, always grumpy towards everyone but harbors a lonely heart yearning for love, will be portrayed through the voice of Hollywood treasure Benedict Cumberbatch.

There are two reasons why Cumberbatch found this role intriguing. Firstly, it’s an Illumination animated film, and secondly, because the filmmakers decided to delve into the Grinch’s past and make improvements to the character’s design. The actor shares, “For me, when telling a story about someone, knowing the reasons behind why they act that way is crucial. Once you understand why Christmas makes the Grinch feel so hateful, the audience will undoubtedly feel sympathy for him.”

The Grinch is a Fashion Icon (Accidentally)

Forget Rudolph’s red nose, the Grinch’s green fur has become a holiday staple. But did you know the iconic green wasn’t always his thing? In the original 1957 book, the Grinch was drawn in black, white, and red! It was the 1966 animated special that introduced the vibrant green we know today. So, next time you rock a Grinch-green sweater, remember you’re part of a fashion legacy, even if it started by accident.

P.S. Looking for some Grinchy merch that celebrates these fascinating facts? Check out our festive gear suggestions based on the points above! Rock your individuality with Grinch-green fashion, channel your inner self-help guru with a “How to Grow Your Heart Three Sizes” mug, or just admire his sleigh-riding efficiency from the comfort of your own (anti-social) nook. Happy (or perhaps not-so-happy) Holidays!

Conclusion

These fascinating facts show that the Grinch is more than just a Christmas grump. He’s a complex character with a surprising message of self-acceptance and a knack for (accidental) style. So, whether you’re a Who-ville enthusiast or a reluctant Grinchy sympathizer, remember, there’s always something new to discover about this festive icon. And who knows, maybe a little Grinchiness this holiday season isn’t such a bad thing after all. Just don’t forget to leave the presents!