When fans learned about the upcoming fairy tale animated musical Strange Magic, they found it hard to contain their excitement over George Lucas’ involvement with the project. Beyond a title, brief synopsis, and impressive cast list including the likes of Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth though, little else was known about the film. Now we finally have a trailer and more information about the film featuring a story from the mind of the Star Wars creator himself.
The first trailer for Strange Magic debuted on Yahoo Movies Friday and gives us a better look at the beautiful animation style we can expect in the film.
“[Lucas] really wanted to make a beautiful fairy tale with goblins and elves, and do it in a way that only this company can do. He had been working on it for a long time,” Strange Magic director and longtime Lucasfilm employee Gary Rydstrom said in an interview with Yahoo Movies.
The story will revolve around two worlds, one a magical kingdom and the other a mysterious dark forest. Normally the residents of each don’t mix but that changes when forbidden love potions are let loose—which is not a surprise considering the movie is inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Rydstrom told Yahoo Movies that “Lucas often emphasized that the story should be about ‘finding beauty in strange places.’”
Lucasfilm
Throughout the trailer you can hear snippets of the pop songs that will be included in the film as well, though they sometimes feel a bit out of place with the stunning fantasy animation.
Fan reaction to the trailer has been more mixed than reaction to the initial news, with more seemingly disappointed by what they see in this first footage.
Looooove the trailer for #StrangeMagic! Can't wait to see it in January and sing along to the songs! http://t.co/fneWc7IhJa
— Johna (@holajohna) November 21, 2014
Strange Magic will arrive in theaters Jan. 23, 2015.
H/T Yahoo Movies | Photo via Lucasfilm Ltd.