SCI FI Channel has rounded out casting on its upcoming “Tin Man” (working title) miniseries from RHI Entertainment. Joining the all-star cast led by Zooey Deschanel, Alan Cumming and Richard Dreyfuss, are Neal McDonough (Flags of Our Fathers), Kathleen Robertson (Hollywoodland) and Raoul Trujillo (Apocalypto). Production on this SCI FI twist on L. Frank Baum’s classic novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is slated to begin in Vancouver later this month with an eye toward a December premiere.
A sometimes psychedelic, often twisted and always outrageous take on the book, SCI FI’s “Tin Man” is the epic tale of DG (Deschanel), a young woman plucked from her humdrum life and thrust into The Outer Zone (the O.Z.) a fantastical realm rife with wonder, but oppressed by dark magic. In the adventure of a lifetime, DG discovers her true identity, battles evil winged-monkey-bats, and attempts to fulfill her destiny. Her perilous journey begins on the fabled Old Road that leads to a wizard known as the Mystic Man (Dreyfuss). Along the way, she is joined by a decidedly strange trio of companions “Glitch,” (Cumming) an odd man missing half his brain; “Raw,” (Trujillo) a quietly powerful wolverine-like creature longing for inner courage, and “Cain,” (McDonough) a heroic former policeman (known in the O.Z. as Tin Men, for their tin badges) seeking vengeance for his scarred heart. Ultimately, DG’s destiny leads her to an emotional and terrifying showdown with the scintillatingly wicked sorceress Azkadellia (Robertson), whose ties to DG are closer than anyone could have imagined. DG’s life, as well as the very future of the O.Z., hangs in the balance.
“Tin Man” will be executive produced by Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr. Co-writers Steven Long Mitchell and Craig Van Sickle (“Medical Investigation,” “The Pretender”) will also serve as executive producers on the project. Nick Willing (Jason & The Argonauts, Alice in Wonderland) will direct.
