After this year’s return to Wonderland, another mythical kingdom is scheduled to be revisited in 2012.
An animated sequel to The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy of Oz will follow Glee’s Lea Michele, who will voice the titular Ms. Gale, as she sets off from a post-tornado Kansas with dog Toto once again in tow.
The film will also feature the voice-talents of Dan Ackroyd, Kelsey Grammer and Jim Belushi as returning characters Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Lion respectively (you can see character art here), and introduce a series of new characters, among them: Marshall Mallow (Hugh Dancy), Tugg (Patrick Stewart), China Princess (Megan Hilty) and villain The Jester (Martin Short). The plot goes as follows
There is trouble in Oz and Dorothy is needed! With Glinda’s help, she and Toto return to Oz. Joined by her old friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion as well as exciting new characters, Dorothy sets out on a perilous journey to stop the crafty Jester from using the power of the Wicked Witch of the West’s wand to turn the people of Oz into puppets. That seems to be the least of Dorothy’s problems as her travels lead her straight into a treacherous maze, a cave full of very hungry dragons and an evil spell that could destroy the Yellow Brick Road. Dorothy has the daunting knowledge that it is up to her to stop Jester’s terrible plan. Audiences will welcome the return of the old Oz favorites and will love meeting new friends like Tugg a gruff talking boat and Wiser an owl with an unlucky attraction to molasses.
The film’s songs will purportedly be written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, to be belted out by Michele and co.
Blogomatic3000 have got their hands on some frankly stunning concept art for the film, which shows the new-look Emerald City and Yellow Brick Road. The images can be glimpsed below, while the film, housed at Summertime Entertainment and with Dan St Pierre set to direct, will be in cinema’s early 2012.
For more information, you can visit the official website.
