‘Spirited’ most fearsome ghost unmasked: The 7-foot-1 former NBA player under hood is ‘sweetest guy’
In every version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” you fear the deathly silent Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
The horror is back In “Spirited,” the hit AppleTV+ movie twist on Dickens’ tale, with the physically ghastly presence of the towering ghost.
He’s not just fearsome, but legit huge played by 7-foot-1 former NBA player Loren Woods under the robes.
But on the set, the imposing Woods got along great with “Spirited” star Ryan Reynolds, who plays the snarky media guy being haunted by Christmas ghosts (including Ghost of Christmas Present played by Will Ferrell).
“Loren Woods was just the sweetest guy,” says Reynolds. “And he’s a former NBA basketball player. He needed that to physically do everything that was required, all while wearing that horrible costume. But he was a delight.”
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The scary character is also played for laughs in “Spirited” when voiced by Tracy Morgan (Morgan’s voice was added after filming).
Woods, who played for teams like the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors during his 6-year NBA career, made his movie premiere in “Spirited” after appearing in the HBO Lakers TV series “Winning Time.”
The 44-year-old actor says the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come outfit weighed over 30 pounds. The bulky ensemble included a huge cloak going to the floor, a long leather vest (with chains and sticks attached) and a black headpiece that covered his face for extra spookiness.Â
“There were eyeholes in the headpiece. But I could only see what was directly in front of me,” says Woods.
That’s tough when the assignment called him to run or climb stairs, acts required of the ghost during his haunting period.
To make matters worse, “Spirited” was shot in Boston during four hot summer months. So those happy, winter dance numbers were sweat-inducing numbers shot in sweltering weather.
Even Woods got the chance to show off some dance moves in his full outfit during the final musical number. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be can groove.
“Dancing in the full outfit was extremely difficult and hot!” says Woods. “The dance numbers were filmed during 10 to 12 hours a day. Needless to say, I had to be in great shape to pull it off.”
Woods knows the movie is a great showcase of his talents. Since “Spirited” was first released Nov. 1., the instant holiday favorite was released in more than 100Â theaters as a sing-along version on Dec. 16.
“And it prepared for the villain role in the next Dwayne Johnson movie,” says Woods. “Should they decide to hit me up for the part.”