Fathom Events, the premier name in specialty distribution, is partnering with New York-based Paper Canoe Company to bring the new fantasy film Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps to theaters nationwide this summer, we’ve learned this week.
Coinciding with the 40th Anniversary of The NeverEnding Story, the film marks the long-anticipated return to the big screen of that film’s iconic Childlike Empress, Tami Stronach, in her first film role since the Fantasy classic. The feature debut of veteran comedy director Michael Hines (the long-running Scottish cult comedy Still Game), Man and Witch is a labor of love from producer and star Stronach and her husband, co-star, and the film’s writer Greg Steinbruner.
A throwback to the films that captured the imagination of a generation, Man and Witch follows a lonely goatherd (Steinbruner) who, having been cursed at birth to never take a wife, makes a pact with a reclusive witch (Stronach) to reverse the spell only if he can complete three impossible tasks so that he may one day find true love.
With a production utilizing practical effects and sets, integrating Scotland’s most iconic castles, live animals and puppets fabricated by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Man and Witch draws inspiration from the likes of The Princess Bride, Labyrinth and, of course, The NeverEnding Story.
The all-star cast also includes Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse), Daniel Portman (Game of Thrones), Stuart Bowman (Versailles), Martha West (The Pursuit of Love), and Michael Emerson (Lost), with the voices of Sean Astin (Stranger Things, Lord of the Rings), Bill Bailey (Hot Fuzz), Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) and Eddie Izzard (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance).
“We’re beyond thrilled to partner with Fathom Events on the theatrical release of Man and Witch,” says the film’s producer and star Stronach. “This film is full of nostalgia for fans of classic 80s fantasy and no one understands fandom better than Fathom. To release this film in theaters nationwide alongside the 40th anniversary of The NeverEnding Story is an absolute dream and I can’t wait to share it with the fans.”
The film is edited by BAFTA-nominated Victoria Boydell (Saltburn, Rye Lane) and scored by Emmy-winning composer Geoff Zanelli (Leo, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil).
The post ‘Man and Witch’ – Fantasy Throwback Pays Tribute to ‘Neverending Story’ in Theaters This Summer appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.