First look: Lea Michele leads an all star cast in new animated Wizard of Oz film

There is always enormous pressure on those remaking a classic. And there are few films more universally loved than the Wizard of Oz.

But preview stills just released of the new animated film Dorothy of Oz give a glimpse at what looks like a spectacular take on the iconic world over the rainbow.

A star-studded cast that includes Glee star Lea Michele as Dorothy, Kelsey Grammer as the Tin Man, Dan Aykroyd as the Scarecrow and James Belushi as the Cowardly Lion will bring the musical feature to life.

Enchanting: New stills of animated film Dorothy of Oz have been released
Enchanting: New stills of animated film Dorothy of Oz have been released
Emerald City: The film will pick up where the original left off, with Dorothy finding her way back to Oz

Emerald City: The film will pick up where the original left off, with Dorothy finding her way back to Oz

A host of new characters will join the cast, including Wiser the Owl (Oliver Platt), Tugg (Patrick Stewart), marshmallow man Marshal Mallow (Hugh Dancy), and China doll princess (Megan Hilty).

Former Broadway star Lea has taken on songs from another Wizard of Oz adaptation, theatre musical Wicked, in cult TV series Glee.

The 24-year-old and co-star Chris Colfer sang ballad Defying Gravity in an episode of the first series.

Lea found time to record her voice-overs over the summer in between filming the second season of the show, which is currently airing on US television.

'It's just really nice to get to step into a different world for a little while,' she says.

Return to Oz: The dazzling Emerald City has been captured by a new villain
Return to Oz: The dazzling Emerald City has been captured by a new villain

'I thoroughly enjoy being at William McKinley High School Monday through Friday at Glee, but it's been really great to step into another world and play another character for a little while.

'The Wizard of Oz film was definitely a household film for me - it was one of the, like, four on rotation I made my mother play over and over again for me,' Lea told Entertainment Tonight this month.

'To have the opportunity right now, at 24, to be making an animated version of the movie is just so cool.'

'It only makes the job that I do every day even more enjoyable.'

Adaptation: This film is based on the follow up novel by Roger Stanton Baum, the grandson of original book's author L. Frank Baum
Adaptation: This film is based on the follow up novel by Roger Stanton Baum, the great-grandson of the original book's author L. Frank Baum
Fantasy: The spectacular animation is by illustrators who worked on Avatar and Alice in Wonderland
Fantasy: The spectacular animation is by illustrators who worked on Avatar and Alice in Wonderland
Musical star: Glee actress Lea Michele steps behind the microphone as Dorothy in the animated musical
Musical star: Glee actress Lea Michele steps behind the microphone as Dorothy in the animated musical

The film, based on a novel written by Roger Stanton Baum, the great grandson of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, will pick up where the original left off after Dorothy awakes back in Kansas.

She finds her way back to Oz where her three friends the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion have disappeared.

A new villain, the Jester (played by Martin Short) has taken control of Oz and Dorothy must join forces with old and new friends to reclaim their beloved Oz.

The film will feature original songs by Bryan Adams, Jim Dooley and Tift Merritt.

The visually arresting animation is by concept artist Seth Engstrom, who worked as a visual concepts artist on Avatar and was an illustrator for Alice in Wonderland.

Oz fans will have a long wait on their hands, as the 3D musical is not slated for release until early 2012.

Remake: Lea Michele, Kelsey Grammer and Dan Aykroyd will take on the classic roles made fmaous by Judy Garland, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley in the 1939 film
Remake: Lea Michele, Kelsey Grammer and Dan Aykroyd will take on the classic roles made famous by Judy Garland, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley in the 1939 film

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