‘Strange Magic’ Trailer: Animated Musical Fantasy Dreamed Up By George Lucas
Lucasfilm is getting into the CG animation game, and the company’s first film, directed byGary Rydstrom(Lifted,Toy Story’s Hawaiian Vacation) from a story byGeorge Lucas, is a musical inspired byA Midsummer Night’s Dreamand (if the tunes are anything to go by) the teen culture of the ’50s and ’60s. The film isStrange Magic, and it features a few other influences too, as the first footage shows. Check out theStrange Magictrailer below.
This is definitely a kids movie, which is fine, but given that fact it’s interesting to see that the film draws on some of the same song pool that might have been used for Lucas' early filmAmerican Graffiti. The song 1966 ‘Wild Thing’ didn’t make the cut for that movie, which is set in ‘62, but Lucas finally gets to use it here. The early press release promises “songs from the past six decades” so we’ll see what makes the cut when the film arrives early next year.
You’ll also hear the voices of Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, Maya Rudolph, Sam Palladio, Alfred Molina, Elijah Kelley, Bob Einstein, Peter Stormare and Meredith Anne Bull.
Yahoohas the trailer.Strange Magicwill be in theaters on January 23.
With a story by George Lucas, “Strange Magic” is directed by Gary Rydstrom (“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation,” “Lifted”), produced by Mark S. Miller (associate producer “Mars Attacks!") and executive produced by George Lucas, with a screenplay by David Berenbaum (“Elf”), Irene Mecchi (“Brave,” “The Lion King”) and Rydstrom. An extraordinary roster of film, television and Broadway stars lend their voices to “Strange Magic,” including Alan Cumming (CBS’ “The Good Wife,” Broadway’s “Cabaret”), Evan Rachel Wood (“The Ides of March”), Kristin Chenoweth (Broadway’s “Wicked”), Maya Rudolph (“Big Hero 6,” “Bridesmaids”), Sam Palladio (ABC’s “Nashville”), newcomer Meredith Anne Bull, Alfred Molina (“Chocolat”), Elijah Kelley (“Hairspray,” “The Butler”), Bob Einstein (HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Peter Stormare (“Fargo”). Well-known music producer Marius de Vries (“Moulin Rouge”) serves as both the musical director and composer.
