Because the world needed yet another freaking Wizard of Oz re-imagining/sequel/prequel, director Mike Johnson (Corpse Bride) has signed on to helm the CG/stop-motion flick Oz Wars for Vanguard Films.  Variety reports that the script (written by Rob Moreland and Athena Gam), “is a transformation of the Oz narrative, with Dorothy caught up in a whirlwind of warrior witches, black magic, martial arts and monsters against a contemporary backdrop.”  Johnson (who also worked as an animator on The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach) says his take on the Land of Oz re-imagines the world as “dark, slick, sexy and dangerous.”  Throw in the word “sticky” and Oz Wars may as well take place on the floor of a nightclub.

Hit the jump for what Vanguard chief John Williams had to say on the film and a refresher on the other Wizard of Oz projects in development.

Kung Fu Panda co-director John Stevenson has signed a multi-picture deal with John Williams’ Vanguard Films.  Stevenson’s first project with Vanguard will be helming the live action/CGI hybrid film Alien Rock Band.  Here’s how the press release describes the movie:

Plot revolves around a garage band from Earth which journeys across the Universe to qualify for a shot at superstardom in an Intergalactic Battle of the Bands. It won’t be easy – the band will have to out-shred four-armed alien guitarists, face-down tentacled, punker octo-drummers, and fight snarling alien monsters – with music as its only weapon.

Surprisingly, there’s no mention of alien cocaine or alien groupies.  Hit the jump to learn about the other projects Stevenson and Vanguard will be collaborating on.