In 2008, a “dream come true” landed in Jim Carrey’s lap. 18 months later, it had lost $100 million and killed a studio

Jim Carrey described playing Ebenezer Scrooge in Robert Zemeckis’s 2009 film *A Christmas Carol* as a dream role and a memorable challenge. The film used motion capture, with Carrey also performing the three Christmas ghosts; its commercial failure helped undermine ImageMovers Digital, the studio behind it.

The film took about $325 million at the box office, but with a reported budget of up to $200 million and additional costs, it was estimated to have lost around $100 million. ImageMovers’ next film, *Mars Needs Moms*, lost another nine-figure sum. The studio closed before that film’s release, laying off all 450 staff, less than 18 months after Carrey began filming.