Illumination Entertainment has released the first image from its 3D CG-animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s story about corporate greed and environmental destruction, The Lorax. First published in 1971, The Lorax chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, a furry, diminutive advocate for the trees (“as the trees have no tongues”) against the Once-ler, whose corporation is destroying the forests of Truffula Trees, starving the Bar-ba-Loots, choking the song from the Swomee Swans and poisoning the waters of the Humming Fish. It is told through the perspective of a young boy who goes in search of the Once-ler to try to find out why the world is so ugly. The movie will follow the opening of the book, with Zac Efron voicing a young boy named Ted (named after Dr. Seuss’ real name, Theodor “Ted” Geisel) who searches for the Once-ler (Ed Helms, The Office) after his grandmother (Betty White) tells him how colorful the world used to be. Danny DeVito will lend his voice to the Lorax.

In an interview with USA Today, DeVito said that he hopes The Lorax will help to wake people up to the environmental destruction happening all around them.

Look, I don’t want to be gruff about it, but we’ve got to wake up and smell the oil burning. I’m hoping that the squeakiest wheel gets the least grease.

I feel sometimes the only way to get things done is shake people up a little bit, and the Lorax is not a guy who pussyfoots around. He’s not a guy who uses kid gloves….the Lorax means business.

Illumination Entertainment chief Chris Meledandri said that DeVito is the perfect actor to bring the Lorax to life.

Danny has this wonderful ability to be acerbic and grouchy but at the same time absolutely lovable…. His comedic edge was very sharp, but he always maintained that warmth.

The Lorax was written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, the duo behind the script for Despicable Me and another big screen adaptation of a Dr. Seuss classic, Horton Hears a Who. Paul and Daurio will also co-direct with Chris Renaud (Despicable Me). Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is slated to open March 2, 2012.

Source: REELZ CHANNEL