Public Domain Classics Continue Inspiring New Stories as Amazon Develops Mad Hatter Animated Film

The next wave of animated storytelling may already be hiding inside the public domain.

As more classic literary works become available for fresh creative interpretation, studios are increasingly looking beyond traditional adaptations to tell entirely new stories centered around some of literature’s most recognizable characters. The latest example comes from Amazon MGM Studios, which is developing an animated feature focused on one of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’s most unforgettable personalities—the Mad Hatter.

According to Deadline, Amazon MGM Studios is partnering with Aniventure on the new animated project, with The Grinch co-director Scott Mosier attached to adapt the film. While story details remain under wraps, the project signals another creative reimagining of a character who has captivated readers for more than 150 years.

Originally introduced by Lewis Carroll in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the eccentric tea party host has become one of fiction’s most enduring characters. Though traditionally serving as a supporting figure in Alice’s journey, the Mad Hatter has long inspired filmmakers, artists and audiences with his whimsical personality, imaginative world and unforgettable tea party.

Rather than revisiting Carroll’s original story beat for beat, the new project appears poised to place the spotlight directly on the Mad Hatter himself—continuing a growing trend across the entertainment industry of expanding classic literary characters into entirely new adventures.

That trend has accelerated in recent years as more beloved works have entered the public domain. Instead of simply retelling familiar tales, studios are increasingly exploring fresh perspectives, untold backstories and original narratives featuring characters audiences have known for generations. The approach allows creators to honor literary history while introducing timeless figures to modern audiences through brand-new storytelling.

The creative team behind the project also brings significant animation experience. Mosier previously co-directed Illumination’s The Grinch, one of the studio’s highest-grossing animated films, while also contributing to projects including Free Birds, Sing 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2. The film will be produced by Adam Nagle through Aniventure, a studio that has collaborated with Amazon, Netflix, Paramount and Sony on a growing slate of animated productions.

For Amazon MGM Studios, the project represents another investment in family animation built around globally recognizable characters. For audiences, it continues a broader movement where literary icons are no longer confined to the pages that introduced them but are instead finding entirely new life through original films, series and creative reinterpretations.

As the public domain continues expanding each year, opportunities for storytellers are growing alongside it. Characters that have entertained readers for generations are increasingly becoming the foundation for fresh adventures, allowing classic literature to evolve while remaining relevant for contemporary audiences.

Whether the Mad Hatter returns to Wonderland or embarks on an entirely new journey, Amazon MGM Studios’ latest project highlights how some of storytelling’s oldest characters continue inspiring some of animation’s newest ideas.