Character sketch for the âDorothy Dâ OZ

In part because of the runaway success of Alice in Wonderland, a story like The Wizard of Oz is hot stuff in Hollywood right now. So there are loads of Oz-related projects in the works: Disney’s Oz, the Great and Powerful, to be directed by Sam Raimi with Robert Downey, Jr. starring; the Polish Brothers’ Oz; a Wizard of Oz sequel called Surrender Dorothy potentially to be directed by Drew Barrymore; and the animated Dorothy of Oz.

We’ve now got a set of character sketches for the animated film, which at the very least demonstrate that it won’t be subject to any unsavory ‘dark fantasy’ whims. For that reason alone I’m willing to think about giving it a shot.

Collider dug up these sketches at the film’s official site; they show the full range of the character designs for the film. The influence of a wide range of L. Frank Baum-inspired work is pretty evident; at least the characters all look like recognizable versions of themselves.

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.

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