If you’re one of the few (possibly zero) people that have wondered what a cross between The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Small Soldiers would ever look like, well Universal Pictures has now released the first trailer for director Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming fantasy drama Welcome to Marween, starring Steve Carell.

A devastating attack leaves artist Mark Hogancamp (Carell) with brain damage and memory loss. No one expected recovery. As he puts together pieces from his old and new life, Mark builds a small scale town with dolls where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation – a testament to the most powerful women he knows – through his fantasy world, he draws strength and finds the courage to triumph in the real one.

The film is based on the true story of the life of Mark Hogancamp, which itself became the documentary film Marwencol. While the synopsis paints a depressing picture, the trailer shows that Zemeckis has taken a lighter approach by allowing viewers into Hogancamp’s fantasy world, also utilising Walk by the Foo Fighters.

From a screenplay by Zemeckis and Caroline Thompson, Welcome to Marwen also stars Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Merritt Wever, Janelle Monáe, Eiza González and Gwendolyn Christie. It opens in the US on 21 November 2018 and in the UK on 11 January 2019.