The trailer for the big screen adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax has been released, showing the ways the classic children’s book has been expanded for the film.
The environmentally-themed cautionary tale first published in 1971 concerned a capitalist-minded being known as the Once-ler working to expand his business at the cost of the local flora and fauna and against the warnings of the mysterious orange creature called the Lorax.
While the book was a simple flashback, the new film seems to have expanded on the wrap-around tale, making it about a boy living in modern suburbia who longs to see a real tree. His journey takes him to the Once-ler and eventually the tale of the Lorax, voiced in the animated film by Danny DeVito.
The movie is directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me) and Kyle Balda, and also features the voices of Zac Efron as the kid, Ed Helms as the Once-ler, Rob Riggle, Betty White and Taylor Swift.
The computer animated film, distributed by Universal Pictures, will be released March 12, 2012.
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