MUMBAI: Toonz Animation India, India's animation studio, has signed a contract with Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) and Commotion Pictures to produce an animated feature film titled Dragonlance.
The animated feature film to be produced by Toonz, PHE and Commotion pictures is based on Hasbro's Dungeons and Dragons property. The film will be distributed theatrically in India by Toonz, and on DVD in the U.S. and internationally (except for Asia) by Paramount Home Entertainment. Commotion Pictures' producer Steve Stabler and Paramount Pictures former marketing president Arthur Cohen will produce the film, asserts an official release.
Commenting on the deal, Toonz Animation India CEO P. Jayakumar said, "We are thrilled to have entered into an agreement with accomplished producers like Steve Stabler and Arthur Cohen. This is an incredible opportunity to create an exciting film with global appeal and iconic characters."
Dragonlance will feature the voice of Keifer Sutherland (24), Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess), Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Ice Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Paramount Home Entertainment senior vice president worldwide acquisitions and DVD premieres Ellen Pittleman added, "We're very excited to bring the wildly popular world of Dungeons and Dragons to the screen. We are confident that Commotion Pictures and Toonz will do the property justice to the delight of fans around the world."
Dragonlance is based on Dragons of Autumn Twilight, the first novel in the bestselling Dragonlance fantasy franchise, published by Wizards of the Coast. Though the gods have long battled for control of this beautiful sword-and sorcery world, it has always been the heroic deeds of mortals that decide its fate.
The story begins as Tanis Half-Elven meets up with his old friends Flint Gireforge (a grumpy dwarven warrior), Tasslehoff Burrfoot (a tiny and inquisitive rogue), Raislin Majere (the dark, mysterious human wizard) and Sturm Brightblad (valiant human knight). Reunited after an unsuccessful five-year journey to seek out signs of the old gods, these companions are thrown into a conflict over a legendary blue crystal staff, wielded by the barbarian princess Goldmoon.
