Earlier today, Variety brought the news that Disney will be releasing a new computer-animated feature this coming January the 23rd: a fantasy film called Strange Magic, based on a story by George Lucas.
Given the rabid (anti)fanbase of Mr. Star Wars, the hardcore level of secrecy surrounding this project has been impressive to say the least. A January release means the film is basically finished already at this point, yet not a peep or screenshot had been revealed until today.
Those given to worrying about George's writing skills may feel relieved to know he didn't do the script: director Gary Rydstrom is responsible for that, together with David Berenbaum and Irene Mecchi. Gary Rydstrom is primarily known as one of Disney-Pixar's experts on sound, having worked on many of its classics. Interestingly, he is also attached as such to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As a director he's probably best known for the Pixar shorts Lifted (awesome!) and Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation.
Strange Magic will be a musical riff on William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and feature the voice talent of Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina and Peter Stormare, amongst others.
We'll stay tuned (or tooned....).