It’s been a long while since we first heard about the launch of 3QU Media (an new animation company founded by Shrek producer John H. Williams) and its first film in production: a fairy tale musical comedy titled Charming. Now, we have news on who 3QU will bring on to voice the central cast of characters (sans one, anyway).
According to Deadline, Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne, Ashley Tisdale, and Chinese pop star Gloria Tang Tsz-kei (known by her stage name G.E.M.) are the first actors to join the voice cast for Charming. Lovato (who was the first actress cast) will voice an original lead character by the name of Lenore, while Lavigne, Tisdale, and G.E.M. will provide the voices for Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty respectively. Currently, the studio is still looking for a male actor to voice Prince Charming (with an announcement to be made soon).
There are a couple similarities with these actresses that are worth noting (beside from the ones that seem readily obvious). For some, this will only be their second voice role (Tisdale had a few roles in TV animation, while Charming will mark G.E.M.’s voice acting and Hollywood acting debut). Also, all four are established singers, which makes sense as Charming will have a musical component (with Demi Lovato as an executive producer of the film’s music score).
The film is written and directed by Ross Venokur. It’s centered around a twist on fairy tale convention that involves all three princesses finding that they are somehow engaged to the same man: Prince Charming.
With the casting, there appears to be a very conscious effort on the part of 3QU to match the ‘big three’ in terms of draw and ambition. Writer/director Ross Venokur’s Twitter message in response to a question about the movie sums it up perfectly:
@natshploc Disney and Dreamworks R Goliath, we R David. They R the legends we revere. Still, we hope to change the game. @CharmingMovie
— Ross Venokur (@RVenokur) August 7, 2015
Here’s the official synopsis from 3QU’s website:
‘Charming’ is an irreverent animated comedy about a young Prince with an irresistible appeal and one kick-ass maiden who wants him only for his money. Cursed as a child, Prince Philip Charming compulsively proposes to every woman he encounters, leaving a trail of lovesick ladies and scorned lovers to wreak vengeful havoc on the Kingdom. Ultimately, Prince Philip’s exasperated father, King Charming, gives the young Prince an ultimatum… Find a true, true-love before his 21st Birthday or lose all claim to the throne.
The film is currently in production and has an unspecified Spring 2016 release.
What do you think? Do you have any thoughts on the casting? Are you looking forward to Charming?
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
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