Dark Oz Film Trilogy To Be Released First As Novels While Awaiting Studio Backing

Studio Budgets Tighter Due To Recession, Force Producers To Get Films Into Audience's Hands Through Novelization.

Los Angeles (PRWEB) May 22, 2009 -- In an unprecedented maneuver, producers of the Dark Oz film trilogy which was announced early last year, http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2008/03/03/Caliber-Comics-macabre-Dark-Oz-optioned-for-film-and-tv-rights have contracted to adapt the three films into novels for release to the general public-prior to filming. "This has always been a big-budget fantasy film project," states producer and screenwriter, Aaron Denenberg, "but with the studio's crying financing woes due to the current economic crisis, it has just become exponentially harder to achieve what we want now on-screen."

Traditionally, Hollywood scripts and their plots are kept top-secret. In a calculated gamble, producers are making this entire trilogy, adapted from the finished screenplays, available to the public with the first novel, DARK OZ: OF COURAGE AND WITCHCRAFT to be released on Thursday, June 25th. "Getting these projects to fruition takes years-we didn't want to deprive the general public of the franchise we are currently fostering. If the novels sell well, then perhaps the studio's will be quaking in their shoes less about going into production on the planned series."

This has always been a big-budget fantasy film project

but with the studio's crying financing woes due to the current economic crisis, it has just become exponentially harder to achieve what we want now on-screen.

Getting these projects to fruition takes years-we didn't want to deprive the general public of the franchise we are currently fostering. If the novels sell well, then perhaps the studio's will be quaking in their shoes less about going into production on the planned series.

Wicked:The Untold Story of the Wicked Witches of Oz

This has always been the hook of the title, specific to our series

It was fun exploring the inner workings of their psyche when evil was dominant.

But at the heart of it all, these are still the same characters we have all grown to love! Our goal was not to create an alternate Oz but have Dorothy return to the same familiar one, with an invasion of malevolence underway. If she can remove the spells from her beloved friends, everyone will see they are still the same Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man from the classic.

There have been a lot of successful Oz series since the original publication entered public domain. "Wicked:The Untold Story of the Wicked Witches of Oz" is perhaps the most recognizable. But none have explored what might occur if the gifted intellect of the Scarecrow and his new brain became twisted and maniacal, the loving warmth of the Tin Man suddenly was cold and heartless or the newfound courage of the Lion mutated into a ferocious, single-minded beast of destruction. "This has always been the hook of the title, specific to our series," commented Mr. Kerr. "It was fun exploring the inner workings of their psyche when evil was dominant."

Mr. Griffith adds, " But at the heart of it all, these are still the same characters we have all grown to love! Our goal was not to create an alternate Oz but have Dorothy return to the same familiar one, with an invasion of malevolence underway. If she can remove the spells from her beloved friends, everyone will see they are still the same Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man from the classic."

The filmmakers are pretty ecstatic about what they have. This has been the culmination of years of development and is just one more step towards making the films a reality as the novels will serve as testing ground for the viability of producing the films.

The first chapter from novel one can be viewed prior to publication on-line now @ www.DarkOzTheNovel.blogspot.com

Review authors from digital or print magazines/websites can request an early review copy by emailing www.DarkOzBookReview@live.com. Please include a link to your website and profile along with an address to send it to.

The original comic book series ran from 1993-2001, beginning under the title "Oz" published by Caliber Press and changing names to "Dark Oz" when switching over to Arrow comics. It was first optioned in August of 2004 with a second option signed in January 2008. The individual issues are being reprinted in graphic novels-eight are planned with the first three already in circulation. You can watch an interview with Stuart Kerr detailing background about the original comic series and characters on the official Youtube channel, www.Youtube.com/DarkOzTheNovel

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