Lucasfilm's animated 'Strange Magic' set for Jan. 23 release

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Strange Magic, a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is to be released by Touchstone Pictures Jan. 23.

Based on a story by George Lucas, the movie was directed by Gary Rydstrom. The fairytale musical inspired by William Shakespeare's stage comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream will feature the voice talents of Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, Elijah Kelley, Alfred Molina and Maya Rudolph. Marius de Vries serves as both the musical director and composer.

"Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion," a synopsis said. "Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic, which created the CGI animation for 2011's Academy Award-winning film Rango, bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects."

Lucas is the creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film franchises. His other credits include the fantasy flicks Labyrinth and Willow.