Pali High Alum Forest Whitaker Stars in Netflix Holiday Musical

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The countdown to the holidays is on—and one way to get into the spirit is with forthcoming festive film “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” which is slated to be released by Netflix on November 13.

Starring Palisades Charter High School alum Forest Whitaker, the live-action musical will center on a toy maker, Jeronicus Jangle, living in an imaginary “cobblestone world come to life” who creates a magical invention.

“In the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle’s fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder,” according to the Netflix synopsis. “But when his trusted apprentice steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter—and a long-forgotten invention—to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within.”

Keegan-Michael Key (“Keanu”) will take on the role of the apprentice, with Madalen Mills (“The Tiger Rising”) as Whitaker’s granddaughter.

Other lead roles include Anika Noni Rose (“The Princess and the Frog”) and Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”), who plays the role of Delacroix.

“Jingle Jangle” is directed and written by David E. Talbert, and produced by John Legend, Mike Jackson, Talbert, Lyn Sisson-Talbert and Kristin Burr.

The film dates back to December 7, 2017, when Netflix reportedly bought a pitch from Talbert, who signed on to write and direct. The following year, on September 17, it was revealed that Legend and Jackson signed on as producers, with Whitaker joining the cast in October.

Principal photography began in June 2019 in Norwich—before COVID-19 restrictions largely paused the TV and film industry in early 2020. And, according to a report by Norwich Evening News, filming left the street “cleaner than ever before.”

“To recreate the winter months, Elm Hill was covered in fake snow for the John Legend-produced Netflix film—while the street was transported back to the Victorian era, complete with market stalls,” the site reported. “Following an efficient clean up operation, the street is now clear and the set dismantled.”

Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated John Debney, who worked on “The Greatest Showman,” has taken on music for the film.

The film will be available for streaming on Netflix.