Sci-Fi Storm

The Weinstein Company (TWC) and Rainmaker Entertainment (the production company responsible for several of the Barbie movies since 2008) announced today the all-star voice cast for the animated Escape from Planet Earth, due for release in the U.S. 2012.

Brendan Fraser (The Mummy movies), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four), Rob Corddry (Childrens Hospital, Hot Tub Time Machine)), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) and Craig Robinson (The Office) will all lend their voices. The 3D animated family comedy is currently in full production.

Escape from Planet Earth is directed by Cal Brunker, best known for his work on the animated feature films Despicable Me, 9 and Horton Hears a Who! Producers Gigliotti and Winder are joined by Rainmaker’s Luke Carroll as a producer on the film. TWC Co-Chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein are executive producers. The film was written by Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen based on an original screenplay by Tony Leech and Cory Edwards.

“Escape from Planet Earth has got it all… explosions, romance and a cast of hilarious aliens….what more could you ask for?” said Brunker. “We are having a great time making it which is coming across on the screen. It will ultimately provide a ton of fun for both kids and their parents.”

“We’re excited to have such a talented group of actors bringing this action-packed comedic tale to life,” said Gigliotti. “I’m also very pleased to be working with Catherine and the Rainmaker team. Their outstanding artistry, storytelling and techniques in CGI animation add a new dimension to this film and ensure a fun movie going experience for the entire family.”

Winder added, “A successful animated movie starts with an imaginative story and appealing characters. The addition of such high caliber voice talent is a crucial layer to the mix. With the amazing array of talented artists and creatives from both The Weinstein Company and Rainmaker collaborating on this production, we have all the right ingredients to make Escape from Planet Earth a highly entertaining and successful film.”

The 3D animated family comedy Escape from Planet Earth catapults movie goers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at BASA. When BASA’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an SOS from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects Gary’s warnings and bounds off for yet another exciting mission. But when Scorch finds himself caught in a fiendish trap set by the evil Shanker (James Gandolfini), it’s up to scrawny, risk-adverse Gary to do the real rescuing. As the interplanetary stakes rise to new heights, Gary is left to save his brother, his planet, his beloved wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker) and their adventure hungry son Kip!