About Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

The gruff but lovable Lorax (DANNY DeVITO) demands to know who cut down this Truffula Tree.


“ What was the Lorax? And why was it there? And why was it lifted and taken somewhere from the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows? The old Once-ler still lives there. Ask him. He knows.” — Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax”

From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the much anticipated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CG adaptation of the classic tale of a forest guardian who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for a real Truffula Tree, the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To get it he must find the story of the Lorax, the acerbic yet charming character who fights to protect his world.

Lending their vocal talents to the project are DANNY DeVITO (television’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Twins, L.A. Confidential, The War of the Roses) as the iconic title character of the Lorax and ED HELMS (The Hangover, The Hangover Part II, TV’s The Office) as the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their voices to the adventure are global superstars ZAC EFRON (Hairspray, 17 Again) as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Grammy Award winner TAYLOR SWIFT (Valentine’s Day) as Audrey,



The enigmatic Once-ler (ED HELMS) will tell you the story of the Lorax.

the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rounding out the cast are ROB RIGGLE (The Hangover, Big Miracle) as the villain O’Hare, JENNY SLATE (Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, television’s Saturday Night Live) as Ted’s protective mother, and beloved actress BETTY WHITE (The Proposal, TV’s Hot in Cleveland) as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is both a funny and emotional adventure highlighting the importance of balance between nature and progress. The film revolves around the Lorax, the hilarious and lovable character who goes to great lengths to protect the trees and the animals that inhabit them. After the Once-ler chops down a tree, the Lorax emerges angrily from a stump with a dire warning for the young entrepreneur.

The pastoral landscape of Truffula Valley is filled with a variety of animals—from soaring Swomee-Swans to harmonic Humming-Fish. Cutest of all are bearlike creatures known as Bar-ba-loots, who tumble among the Truffula Trees.

The Lorax’s job as guardian of the forest is put to the test when the ambitious young Once-ler chops down a Truffula Tree and threatens to chop down more to further his lofty business plan. Incensed by this uncaring act against nature, the Lorax angrily criticizes the Onceler’s actions. From their first interaction, the Lorax and the Once-ler are at odds. Each is determined to get rid of the other, but over time they develop a mutual fondness for each other. Ultimately, the Lorax is no match for the greed and ambition that begins to consume the Once-ler, who stops at nothing to build his enterprise—even if it means chopping down every last tree and destroying the valley.

Years later, in a world devoid of trees, Ted ventures beyond the borders of his perfectly industrialized town of Thneedville on a journey to find the Once-ler and learn how he can bring home a tree for the girl of his dreams, Audrey.

Although hesitant at first, the Once-ler sees something in Ted that inspires him to tell the story of his encounter with the Lorax, which in turn inspires Ted’s mission to restore balance to Thneedville by bringing back Truffula Trees for the whole town.

Formerly president of 20th Century Fox Animation, CHRIS MELEDANDRI founded Illumination Entertainment in 2007. In 2010, he launched the global blockbuster Despicable Me, followed in 2011 by the CG-animated hybrid Hop. While at Fox, Meledandri oversaw the studio’s animation division, where he executive produced Ice Age, Ice Age: The Meltdown and Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!.

For Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Meledandri reunited many of his key collaborators, including fellow producer JANET HEALY (Despicable Me, Shark Tale). The animated adventure is helmed by director CHRIS RENAUD (Despicable Me), who is joined by screenwriters CINCO PAUL & KEN DAURIO (Despicable Me, Hop, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!) and co-director KYLE BALDA (Despicable Me).

Leading the animation crew are production designer YARROW CHENEY (Despicable Me, Curious George), art director ERIC GUILLON (Despicable Me) and editors KEN SCHRETZMANN (Toy Story 3, Cars),

CLAIRE DODGSON (Despicable Me, Fantastic Mr. Fox) and STEVEN LIU (Despicable Me, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs). They are joined by awardwinning composer JOHN POWELL (Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!, How to Train Your Dragon, The Bourne Ultimatum)—who co-wrote the film’s songs with Cinco Paul—and executive song producer CHRISTOPHER “TRICKY” STEWART. The 3D-CG feature’s executive producers are AUDREY GEISEL (Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!), Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul.

In the United States and Canada, the film will be released on March 2, 2012, on what would have been Dr. Seuss’ 108th birthday.

Source: The Lorax Movie | Official Site for the The Lorax Film