ANNA KENDRICK is in negotiations to star in Disney’s “Nicole,” a tale of a female Santa Claus.

    Marc Lawrence is attached to direct, while Suzanne Todd, who worked with the studio on “Alice in Wonderland,” is producing.

    Lawrence also wrote the script, whose details are being kept on ice. The twist, however, is that it is a holiday family adventure that centers on the coming of a female Santa.

    Disney has done well in the past with tales of old St. Nick, having a hit franchise with the Tim Allen-starring “Santa Clause” trilogy, which launched in 1994.

    Lawrence may be best known for writing and directing “Music and Lyrics,” a 2007 romantic comedy that starred Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. His other directing credits include “The Rewrite” and “Did You Hear About the Morgans,” both of which starred Grant as well. Lawrence got his start as a writer-producer on “Family Ties.”

    Todd is currently in production on “Magic Camp,” a family movie for Disney.

    Kendrick already appeared in a Disney movie when she starred as Cinderella in the film adaptation of the hit musical “Into the Woods.” The actress’s musical stylings were most recently heard in the animated feature “Trolls,” and she is in production on “Pitch Perfect 3.”

    Sources say “Nicole” is not a musical, but Kendrick may end up indulging her musical side.

    (SD-Agencies)