One of the greatest Hollywood legends of all time will be making a surprising return to the big screen. A rare recording of Orson Welles, made months before he passed away, will be used as the narration for a new Christmas film.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that special effects company Drac Studios is entering the film production business with Christmas Tails, a family film based on a self-published book by Robert X. Leed. Welles recorded five reel-to-reel audio recordings of himself reading the book before he died in 1985.

Now those tapes will be used to narrate a 3D live-action/CG hybrid movie version of the story, to be directed by Todd Tucker. Drac president Harvey Lowry began putting the project together soon after hearing about the existence of the tapes. “This is a substantial find,” Lowry said “It’s something that a filmmaker dreams of.”

A script for the film has been penned by Matt Thompson, based on Leed’s book. It tells the story of how Santa’s dog saves Christmas after the jolly red elf’s famous team of reindeer falls ill. Welles’ recording of the original story will narrate the events.

It’s the first feature production for Drac Studios, which has won multiple Academy Awards and nominations for make up and special effects work on such films as Titanic, The Passion of the Christ and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.