Lionsgate and India’s Crest Animation Prods. have teamed to co-produce and co-finance a CG-animated family feature titled Alpha and Omega, and have already secured Hollywood star power for the voice cast. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Justin Long (Live Free or Die Hard), Hayden Panettierre (Heroes), Christina Ricci (Speed Racer), Danny Glover (Barnyard), Larry Miller (Bee Movie) and Dennis Hopper (Land of the Dead) are all on board for the first number of pics to come from the partnership.
Currently slated for release in 2010, Alpha and Omega is the story of bickering wolves who are captured and taken thousands of miles from their home. Panettiere will lend he voice to a disciplined, Alpha-bred wolf and Long will play the fun-loving, wise-cracking Omega member of the pack. Despite their differences, they must somehow learn to get along in order to escape and find their way home through the harsh wilderness.
The film is being directed by Anthony Bell (The Boondocks) and Ben Gluck (Brother Bear 2). Steve Moore wrote the original screenplay and a second draft was turned in by Chris Denk. Ken Katsumoto is producing for Lionsgate, and Richard Rich for Crest. Lionsgate will distribute the pic in North America and the U.K. Mandate International will pursue international sales outside of India at the Cannes Film Fiestival.
