Zentropa has just announced at a press conference in Cannes, that rising star Casper Kjær Jensen has been cast in the leading role as Hans Christian Andersen in Nikolaj Arcel’s upcoming feature MY FAIRYTALE LIFE (working title).
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE is an epic feature film about the world-renowned Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who to this date is one of the most beloved authors and storytellers world-wide. The story centers around the young Andersen, who as an outsider, dreams of fitting in and feeling loved. For his upcoming feature Arcel will team up once again with co-writer Anders Thomas Jensen (THE LAST VIKING) with whom he also wrote THE PROMISED LAND.
Casper Kjær Jensen graduated from The Danish National School of Performing Arts in 2024. He was previously featured in Ole Bornedal’s NIGHTWATCH: DEMONS ARE FOREVER and the HBO-series KAMIKAZE and has also appeared in several significant roles in plays at leading Danish theatres such as JEPPE ON THE HILL at the Royal Danish Theatre, as Romeo in ROMEO AND JULIET at Betty Nansen and later this year in Shakespeare’s KING LEAR.
The role as Hans Christian Andersen will be his first leading role in a feature film.
“It is incredible to land such a major role. There is something in the story about the young Hans Christian Andersen that resonates with me – and I believe will also speak to a generation of young people, who, like him, experience loneliness and yearns for a sense of belonging. I am very excited to take on this role and to begin working with Nikolaj”, says Casper Kjær Jensen.
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE marks Nikolaj Arcel’s 7th feature film as a director. Since his debut with KING’S GAME more than two decades ago, Arcel has consolidated his position as a visionary director with a strong grasp of genres and the director behind feature films of high cinematic quality that attract international acclaim and appeal widely to both critics and audiences alike. His previous films A ROYAL AFFAIR world premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2012, winning the Silver Berlin Bear for Best Actor and Best Screenplay and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2013. His latest film, THE PROMISED LAND (2023), world premiered at the Venice Film Festival, took home three awards at the European Film Awards and was shortlisted for the 96th Academy Awards®.
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE is currently in financing and principal photography is expected to commence late 2026.
SYNOPSIS
Hans Christian Andersen, a socially awkward outsider, moves to Copenhagen with an impossible dream of conquering the city's vibrant cultural life and becoming a famous artist. In a colourful world of actors, playwrights and benefactors, Hans Christian fights to gain recognition, acceptance, and love.
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE (working title) is produced by Zentropa Entertainments4 in co-production with Zentropa Berlin GmbH with support from The Danish Film Institute Market Scheme, FilmFyn, MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FFA Filmförderungsanstalt in co-operation with TV2, Plaion Pictures and Nordisk Film Distribution A/S. Co-funded by the European Union. International sales TrustNordisk.