Summertime Entertainment’s "Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return" Signs Major Distribution Deal in U.S. and Canada

Summertime Entertainment has inked a deal with Clarius Entertainment for a wide theatrical release, with significant prints & advertising support in the U.S. and Canada, for the 3-D animated musical film “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return.” The release date will be slated for 1st quarter of 2014. As part of the pact, Home Entertainment will be provided by a major studio partner, with sub-distribution rights handled by others. The company is beginning discussions for international distribution for the film, which had a prior working title “Dorothy of Oz.”

LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN is on schedule for completion in Summer 2013. The film features the voice talents of Lea Michele (Dorothy), Jim Belushi (Lion), Dan Aykroyd (Scarecrow), Kelsey Grammer (Tin Man) and Bernadette Peters (Glinda), each giving new life to familiar Oz characters. Patrick Stewart (Tugg), Hugh Dancy (Marshal Mallow), Megan Hilty (China Princess), Oliver Platt (Wiser) and Martin Short (the Jester) voice the series’ new characters. The musical contains new original songs by legendary singer/songwriter Bryan Adams, and the film’s soundtrack album will be released by Sony Entertainment’s Columbia/Epic label.

“After six years of consistent effort, we are thrilled to be bringing this wonderfully-produced stereoscopic musical picture to the big screen. We are very grateful to our supportive group of financial partners who have made this ‘labor of love’ possible,” said Summertime’s Ryan Carroll. “We believe we’ve found the perfect partner with Clarius.”

"We're pleased to have this opportunity to work with the team at Summertime," said William Sadleir, Chairman of Clarius Entertainment. "We look forward to giving Legends of Oz its theatrical release and bringing this spirited animated musical to a family audience."

In addition to Summertime Entertainment founders Ryan Carroll and Roland Carroll, animation veteran Bonne Radford is producing the film, and Daniel St. Pierre and Will Finn are directing. “There is a magic to Oz, and to this film. We’re bringing Oz to a new generation while preserving and honoring the heart and soul of Oz that we all know and love- and with the musical aspect which is such an important part of that world,” said Radford. Terms of the financing and distribution were led by Sheldon Rabinowitz, Summertime’s business and financial advisor.

This deal marks Summertime Entertainment’s first major step to further expand both this and other unexplored family-film franchises. Summertime has secured the rights to ten of the Oz stories penned by Roger Stanton Baum. “This film is only the beginning of what Summertime plans to be an extensive Oz-themed trans-media franchise,” said executive producer Greg Centineo. “There are many wonderful stories to be told, and many ways for the audience to experience them, including our soon-to-be-released virtual world. With 114 years of Oz history in the making, LEGENDS OF OZ will drive young audience awareness toward America's greatest fairytale.”