It's Just Movies

— by CHERRY BELL DAMASCO-FARRINGTON —

In August 2006, word came out that William Joyce’s illustrated children’s book “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs” was optioned for development by 20th Century Fox Animation with Blue Sky Studios producing. Joyce and Jim V. Hart adapted the screenplay and expanded the book’s original premise for the screen.

Oscar-winner Chris Wedge (“Ice Age”) is directing this film adaptation, which sounds like “A Bug’s Life” meets “Lord of the Rings,” according to the film site Rotten Tomatoes, which if you like one or the other or both could be a good thing.

The film is described as an epic adventure centering on ancient elfin magic. The book follows a troop of brave bugs who march off to save a garden, where they encounter an evil spider queen Tara (voiced by Beyoncé Knowles) and must summon the mythical Leaf Men to save the day.

For the film, IMDB gives the following description:

A teenager (Mary Katherine voiced by Amanda Seyfried) finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group of characters in order to save their world — and ours.

It’s not a whole lot to go on, but judging from the trailer below, it promises some action and a bit of humor with the talking slugs for the younger crowd, while keeping the adult fantasy fans hopeful for a good film.

The all-star cast features the voices of Josh Hutcherson (best known for his roles in “The Hunger Games” and “The Bridge to Terabithia”) as Nod, Colin Farrell as Ronin, Amanda Seyfried as Mary Katherine, Johnny Knoxville as Mandrake, Aziz Ansari Mub, Pitbull as Bufo, Jason Sudeikis as Bomba, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith as Nim Galuu.

“Epic” hits theaters May 24, 2013.

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