Singer and actress, Ariana Grande (Wicked) and actor, Josh Gad (Frozen, Beauty and the Beast) have been revealed as two of the voices behind the latest Dr Seuss adaptation. Ariana and Josh will feature as voice actors in ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’, directed by John M. Chu (Wicked, Crazy Rich Asians). The animated film, coming to cinemas in 2028, will also feature original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo who have written for countless films and TV including La La Land and The Greatest Showman.
Published in 1990, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! was the final book published by Dr. Seuss during his lifetime; before his death in 1991. The much-loved illustrated children’s book explores the journey of life, and its many challenges and joys along the way. In it, the protagonist, ‘you’ the reader, leaves town and heads out to explore the world, fuelled by the thoughts of all the incredible places they will visit and things they will discover.
In the early 1990s, producers Ben Myron and Roland Joffé, at Lightmotive with TriStar Pictures, were set to produce a film adaptation of the book with Seuss penning the screenplay. The Seuss screenplay was later rewritten by Richard LaGravenese and Barry Berman respectively, but the adaptation never came to fruition.
This latest musical animated film adaptation of the book from Warner Bros’ Pictures Animation comes alongside others, The Cat in the Hat and a spin-off, Thing One and Thing Two which are also in development. J. J. Abrams is producing the film alongside his production company Bad Robot Productions. In November 2021, Jon M. Chu was attached to direct the film.
Chu will be joined by co-director Jill Culton, and the film is slated for release in IMAX on March 17, 2028. Rob Lieber adapted the script from Dr. Seuss’ book, with Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams and Gregg Taylor are producing.
