Lea Michele, the star of Glee,has landed the lead role in the animated 3D Wizard of Oz update
"Dorothy of Oz"
Jim Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Kelsey Grammer have all already signed on to play the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man, respectively, and Oliver Platt, Megan Hilty, Hugh Dancy and Martin Short round out the cast of new characters — Martin is playing Dorothy’s arch nemisis, now that the Wicked Witch of the West is dead.Bryan Adams is writing the first songs and lyrics for the film along with writing partner Jim Vallance.
"Jester, the new arch-nemesis of Dorothy and all of Oz. The Jester is "a performer without
his coveted audience" and the role is rife with comedy, song, and lighthearted wickedness."
"Tin Man, who with his new found heart is literally wearing his emotions on his sleeve
and now needs to carry an extra oil can due to all his weeping."
"Lion who is reveling in his new role as guardian and protector of Oz.
Continuously attempting to remove the word "Cowardly" from his moniker with little success,
he is forced to overcompensate with acts of exaggerated bravado."
Scarecrow, who famously once sang "If I only had a brain," but has learned
one should be careful what they wish for as now he finds himself
in a position of authority that is entirely unfamiliar.
"soft-hearted and candy-coated"
"Jester, the new arch-nemesis of Dorothy and all of Oz. The Jester is "a performer withouthis coveted audience" and the role is rife with comedy, song, and lighthearted wickedness."
"Tin Man, who with his new found heart is literally wearing his emotions on his sleeveand now needs to carry an extra oil can due to all his weeping."
"Lion who is reveling in his new role as guardian and protector of Oz.Continuously attempting to remove the word "Cowardly" from his moniker with little success,
he is forced to overcompensate with acts of exaggerated bravado."
Scarecrow, who famously once sang "If I only had a brain," but has learnedone should be careful what they wish for as now he finds himself
in a position of authority that is entirely unfamiliar.
"soft-hearted and candy-coated"
"humorous old soul and adventure-seeking"
______________Synopsis______________
Dorothy returns to Kansas to find it devastated by the tornado that had whisked her away to the magical Land of Oz. The home she had been so desperate to return to is no longer; the townspeople, with nowhere to turn, are packing up and moving out. However, before Dorothy can even begin to react to or resist this change, she is transported back to Oz by equally magical methods as her first trip. Oz is in trouble, and the people there need her help: Dorothy's old friends - the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion - have disappeared and the land is in a state of decay. As Dorothy journeys to find her friends, she encounters a number of new companions and problems, including a man made of marshmallows who can't think for himself, a china doll princess whose bossiness is a cover for her fragility, and a tugboat with as many personalities as he has pieces. Dorothy must help this odd group band together against a wicked new villain - a jester who thinks all of Oz should be under his control.Summertime is aiming at completing "Dorothy" by the end of next year with distribution not yet set. Veteran animation producer Bonne Radford ("Curious George," "The Road to El Dorado") is producing with Dan St. Pierre ("Everyione's Hero") directing.
"Dorothy" is based on the writings of children's author Roger S. Baum, great-grandson of "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" author L. Frank Baum. Summertime is aiming to make several more pics based on Roger Baum's stories.
Musical components will be supervised by Vicki Hiatt with lyrics by Tift Merritt and Mike Himelstein. Jim Dooley will contribute to the score.
-> video interview with Roger Baum
-> Roger Baum's website
source: Variety,
-> Official website of Dorothy of Oz
-> other Wizard of Oz remakes...
->Megan Hilty as Glinda performing Popular
->Wikipedia link
->Character descriptions found here
Thanks to the Manchester Maniac for telling me about this remake!
