First Sketches from DOROTHY OF OZ Starring Lea Michele, Oliver Platt, Dan Aykroyd, and Patrick Stewart

We have found some pretty cool concept art for Dorothy of Oz, an upcoming 3D animated musical feature based on the classic L. Frank Baum children’s novels.  The voice cast is led by Glee‘s Lea Michele as Dorothy Gale, with the likes of Oliver Platt, Dan Aykroyd, Kelsey Grammer, and Patrick Stewart supporting.  I’ve always been a fan of early glimpses into the animation process: check out a comparison of the sketch of nine different characters and the actor who will bring them to life after the jump.

Here’s the official synopsis:

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.

Written in the whimsical style of L. Frank Baum, “Dorothy of Oz” is sure to delight Oz fans old and new as they journey once again into the magical land of OZ.

Thanks to www.dorothyofozthemovie.com for the images.

Lea Michele — Dorothy Gale

Martin Short — The Jester

Dan Aykroyd — The Scarecrow

Kelsey Grammer — The Tin Man

Jim Belushi — The Lion

Megan Hilty — The China Princess

Hugh Dancy — Marshall Mallow

Oliver Platt — Wiser the Owl

Patrick Stewart — Tugg

Don’t worry if those character names are unfamiliar to you; the film will add some new characters to the tale.  For more information, you can visit the film’s official site, their Twitter account, or Facebook page.

Alternately, you can check out our previous coverage at AFM here.

Here’s the press release for even more details:

TALENTED STAR VOICES HELP LEAD “OZ” FURTHER DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD AND INTO A BRAND NEW DIMENSION

Casting and Further Details Announced for Upcoming 3D-Animated Musical Feature, “Dorothy of Oz”

Los Angeles, CA — Today production company Summertime Entertainment makes an official casting announcement for their anticipated animated musical feature film, “Dorothy of Oz”.  This announcement also includes the decision to produce the film in Stereoscopic 3D, and the launch of a new interactive teaser website, www.dorothyofoz.com.

In the film, the title and beloved role of Dorothy Gale will be played by Golden-Globe nominated actress Lea Michele, star of television’s hit series “Glee”.  Also known for her acclaimed Broadway roles in Spring Awakening and Les Misérables, Lea makes her feature film and animation voice-over debut with “Oz” and will also be providing vocals on several original musical numbers.

The new comedic book character roles of Wiser the Owl and the delicate China Princess will be respectively voiced by Oliver Platt (2012, Frost/Nixon, Nip/Tuck, Huff, West Wing), and Broadway veteran Megan Hilty (star of the musical ‘9 to 5′).  “Dorothy of Oz” also marks Hilty’s second venture into Oz after a successful run as Glinda in the national tour of Wicked.  British Actor Hugh Dancy (Ella Enchanted, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Black Hawk Down) will play the soft-hearted and candy-coated Marshall Mallow, and Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek) will voice the humorous old soul and adventure-seeking Tugg.  Set to be a musical with its main singing talents now in place, legendary singer/songwriter, Oscar nominee and 15-time Grammy winner Bryan Adams is currently moving forward on the first songs and lyrics for the film along with writing partner Jim Vallance.

Emmy and Tony award-winning Martin Short will play the 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.  Comedian/actor Jim Belushi will portray the 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.  Academy award-nominated Dan Aykroyd will be voicing the 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.  Emmy award-winning and current Tony-nominee Kelsey Grammer rounds out the cast as the 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.

An interactive teaser website has been launched at www.dorothyofoz.com, and the film’s marketing campaign being run by CW3PR intends to use corresponding social networking sites to launch several online apps and activities over the coming months including a grassroots “gift a yellow brick to help re-pave the Emerald City road” viral game.  A release date for the film has yet to be set, but production is scheduled to finish in late 2011.