Lucasfilm’s ‘Strange Magic’ Headed For 2015 Release

Even though writer/director George Lucas has handed off the reigns of the next Star Wars installment (recently unveiled title: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens) over to J.J. Abrams (Star Trek: Into Darkness), he is keeping busy with other projects.     According to Variety, Disney will release Lucasfilm's animated feature Strange Magic on January 23, 2015. The movie is based on a story by Lucas, but the script is written by Gary Rydstrom (Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation), along with David Berenbaum (Elf) and Irene Mecchi (Brave, The Lion King). Rydstrom also serves as director.

The movie is described as a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream, with popular songs of the past six decades, used to tell the story of a colorful cast of goblins, fairies, elves and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion.

Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, Maya Rudolph, Sam Palladio, Alfred Molina, Elijah Kelley, Bob Einstein, Peter Stormare and newcomer Meredith Anne Bull provide the voices for the characters. Marius de Vries (Moulin Rouge) serves as both the musical director and composer.

With the eclectic talent involved and the unique concept, it appears audiences are in store for a creative treat in the new year.