Move over, Darth Vader! Lucasfilm plans to release a new animated movie "Strange Magic" by none other than "Star Wars" filmmaker George Lucas.
"Strange Magic" is a "madcap fairy tale musical" inspired by Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Hit songs will help tell the tale of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and the crazy misadventures that come about thanks to a battle over a powerful potion.
Actors Alan Cumming ("The Good Wife"), Evan Rachel Wood ("The Ides of March"), Kristin Chenoweth (Broadway's "Wicked"), Maya Rudolph ("Big Hero 6"), Sam Palladio ("Nashville"), Alfred Molina ("Chocolat"), Elijah Kelley ("Hairspray"), Bob Einstein ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Peter Stormare ("Fargo") and newcomer Meredith Anne Bull will lend their voices to the colorful cast of forest characters.
"Strange Magic" is produced by Lucas, directed by Gary Rydstrom ("Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation"), produced by Mark S. Miller (associate producer "Mars Attacks!") and executive produced by Lucas, with a screenplay by David Berenbaum ("Elf"), Irene Mecchi ("Brave") and Rydstrom.
Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic -- which won the 2011 Academy Award for their animated film "Rango" -- will be responsible for awe-inspiring animation and visual effects.
Touchstone Pictures plans to release "Strange Magic" on January 23, 2015.