Baobab Studios, the creators of Asteroids and Invasion, is announcing today that triple-threat performer John Legend is headlining the cast of its latest virtual reality animated feature. This new feature, titled Rainbow Crow, will make its debut next week at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Legend will be providing both the speaking and singing voices of the title character for this new musical adventure.
According to Baobab, Legend will be starring in and executive producing Rainbow Crow. In an official release from the studio accompanying today’s news, Legend explains that:
“Rainbow Crow brings storytelling and music together in a way no one else has yet in virtual reality. It’s an incredible medium for inspiring a journey of self-discovery and finding your way in times to darkness. In light of what’s going on in today’s world, it’s a message of deep meaning that people from all walks of life can embrace.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F99EjvJ94DM
This is not the first time Baobab has secured top-tier voice talent for one of its projects. Invasion featured Ethan Hawke as the narrator and Asteroids cast Elizabeth Banks as one of its main characters as well.
Rainbow Crow is being directed by Baobab co-founder, Eric Darnell. Darnell previously directed the Madagascar series for Dreamworks as well as Invasion and Asteroids. According to Darnell, Rainbow Crow will be presented in chapters as a sort of virtual storybook. The plot is inspired by a traditional Native American folktale and features themes of friendship, self-sacrifice and being proud of who you are as a unique individual. The official synopsis for the film reads:
From the director of Madagascar, Invasion! (Tribeca 2016), and Asteroids! comes Baobab Studio’s latest visionary VR animation. The carefree forest animals imagine that spring will last forever. However, winter comes and the animals soon realize that their lives are in danger. What they need is a hero: what they need is Rainbow Crow. Step inside the world of this moving, soon-to-be classic, musical experience for all ages.
Darnell said he expects the completed project to run around 20 minutes or so making Rainbow Crow Baobab’s largest VR project to date. During our brief demo, we were able to see a small three minute introduction running on the HTC Vive. The art style is unique, colorful and bright and the characters are immediately engaging with performances from Legend and his c0-stars.
Baobab says it will be releasing more information on the cast list and release schedule for Rainbow Crow in the coming weeks.
