New Artwork and Details for ‘Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return’ Animated Feature

More details are coming forward about Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return, a new CG animated feature from Summertime Entertainment. The film is screening privately at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and is also an official selection of the 2013 Annecy Festival. It opens in the U.S. on May 2, 2014.

 The film is based on the 1989 book Dorothy of Oz, which was written by L. Frank Baum’s great grandson Roger Stanton Baum. Here’s the official synopsis:

“In Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return, Dorothy returns to Kansas to find it devastated by the tornado that had whisked her away to Oz. The home she has been so desperate to return to is severely damaged, and the townspeople are packing up and moving out. But shortly after arriving in Kansas, Dorothy is magically transported back to Oz. She finds out that Oz is in trouble, and the people there need her help. Dorothy’s old friends – the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the formerly Cowardly Lion – have disappeared and Oz 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 new villain – a wicked Jester who thinks all of Oz should be under his control.”

Directed by former Disney animators Dan St. Pierre and Will Finn, the film stars Lea Michele as Dorothy, Dan Aykroyd as Scarecrow, Kelsey Grammer as Tin Man, Jim Belushi as Cowardly Lion, and Bernadette Peters as Glinda. Other character voices include Patrick Stewart, Martin Short, Oliver Platt and Megan Hilty. The animation was done by Prana Studios.

Animation Magazine has an extensive article about the film, including more details about its history and production. The official trailer for the film along with more information about the story and cast can be seen at the film’s official website. Follow the film on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Source: Animation Magazine