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Tarantino to star in Muppets film

Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino is to appear in a new Muppets film based on The Wizard of Oz.

The Muppets' Wonderful Wizard of Oz will also feature R&B star Ashanti as Dorothy and Chicago star Queen Latifah as Auntie Em.

Filming is due to start in Vancouver next month. It is set to be screened on US TV in the autumn.

Tarantino, who also appeared in From Dusk Till Dawn, is often criticised for the graphic violence in his movies.

Described as a "madcap adventure", the film is based on L Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Popular foam puppets The Muppets will take most of the leading roles.

Miss Piggy will appear as three wicked witches and Glinda, Good Witch of the South.

Kermit the Frog will be the Scarecrow, the Great Gonzo will be the Tin Man and Fozzie Bear will play the Lion.

The Muppets' Wonderful Wizard of Oz will follow the acclaimed 1939 film version, starring Judy Garland, and 1978 re-make The Wiz, which featured Diana Ross as Dorothy.

The Muppets film and TV rights were sold to the Walt Disney corporation by the family of their late creator, Jim Henson, in February.

[original article]

Posted by thinkum at August 27, 2004 09:36 PM