The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a book by Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, is being made into CG-animated feature by Hyde Park Ent., Toonz Ent. and Gang of 7 Animation. According to Daily Variety, the pic is slated to hit theaters in time for Christmas 2010.
The Santa Claus origin story is being directed by Gang of 7 Animation head Tom Tataranowicz with Rich Arons and Dick Sebast. Tataranowicz also wrote the script with Mark Edward Edens. This first animated film for Hyde Park is being produced at Toonz Animation Studio in India. Hyde Park will handle international distribution and shares domestic rights with G7.
Baum’s creations are being mined for number animated movies. John Boorman was recently hired to direct a new CG adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that is slated to debut in the summer of 2010. A number of other Oz toons were being shopped at AFM last week, including Alpine Pictures’ Dorothy of Oz, a sequel based on a book by Roger S. Baum, great grandson of the Wizard creator.
