'Glee' star Lea Michele to portray Dorothy in next 'Oz' film

A lot of buzz is surrounding the upcoming Disney film 'Oz the Great and Powerful,' but there's another Oz film headed our way, according to Roger S. Baum, grandson of original 'Oz' author L. Frank Baum. A $60 million animated film called 'Dorothy of Oz' is being finished up, he confirmed. The film, produced by independent studios, is being prepped for a 3D release in 2014. Production is just wrapping up on the project. 

"But why am I reading about this on TVRage.com?", you might be asking. 

Well, it turns out the voice of Dorothy will be television actress Lea Michele. The 'Glee' actress will be providing the voice for the role originated by Judy Garland. 

And Michele isn't even the biggest TV name involved with 'Dorothy of Oz.' 'Frasier' and 'Boss' star Kelsey Grammer will play the Tin Man, while Saturday Night Live alums Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi will voice the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, respectively. The Big C's Oliver Platt plays a character called Wiser the Owl, while Hugh Dancy, star of the upcoming NBC series Hannibal, voices the character Marshal Mallow. And if that's not enough gravitas for you, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) will be playing the character Tugg. 

Sounds like a pretty fantastic voice cast (full of plenty of familiar TV faces) for an independent animated film. The film will apparently premiere next year.