The Azarican Chronicles: Part One (Johnsonverse)

The Azarican Chronicles: Part One is a 2022 American traditionally animated fantasy film directed by Belle Armstrong, and the first of a planned trilogy of films based on her 2016 book, The Azarican Chronicles. It stars the voices of Emmy Rossum, Jason Momoa, Ian McKellen, Idris Elba, Christopher Lloyd, Julia Sawalha, Dennis Haysbert, Kerry Washington, Tom Skerritt, and Tommy Wiseau. The story is based on the first third of the book, following Lexi and Michael's adventures leading to them joining the Resistance to overthrow Emperor Castell and his regime.
The film was first announced in 2020, with animation provided by Don Bluth Productions. It will be released on August 24, 2022, with the other two parts set to be released on June 7, 2023 and May 22, 2024, respectively.
== Plot ==
The film follows the story of how the Azarican kingdom was overthrown, the childhood of Lexi (Emmy Rossum) and Michael Rapp (Jason Momoa), and how they are led into a power struggle between Emperor Castell (Ian McKellen) and a resistance led by Merlana Roach (Julia Sawahla).
== Voice cast ==
* Emmy Rossum as Lexi Rapp, the protagonist. She is an orphan who is brash and rough, but loves her brother. She and her brother are led into the Azarican Resistance after finding out that Castell and his regime personally killed their parents as part of a series of "purges".
** Julia Butters as young Lexi
* Jason Momoa as Michael Rapp, the deuteragonist and Lexi's brother. Compared to his sister, Michael is calmer and more reserved.
** Charlie Shotwell as young Michael
* Ian McKellen as Emperor Castell I, the corrupt leader of the Azarican Empire; he and his regime overthrew the kingdom twenty-five years before the book's events under the false pretense of stomping out corruption, only to show his true colors after taking power.
* Idris Elba as Commander Jordan, the commander of the Resistance.
* Christopher Lloyd as Max Blade, a wise old veteran of the Azarican War who assists Lexi and Michael.
* Julia Sawalha as Merlana Roach, the founder of the Resistance and the daughter of the late King Dantius. After her father was overthrown by the Empire, Merlana was forced into exile, but secretly went back to create the Resistance.
* Dennis Haysbert as Rian Hames, a member of the Resistance and a skilled marksman. He is an old friend of Lexi and Michael.
** J. D. McCrary as young Rian
* Kerry Washington as Alana Castell, the seventh wife of Emperor Castell, who was forced to live in a dungeon for supposedly burning down a school, while the Emperor keeps all his wealth to himself and feeds her very little food. She later betrays her husband to join the Resistance.
* Tom Skerritt as Earle, another veteran of the Azarican War and a member of the Resistance.
* Tommy Wiseau as Pagrunon, a mentally-deranged, psychopathic and mysterious bounty hunter sent by King Castell to hunt down Lexi and Michael.
* Greg Sestero as a peasant
== Production ==
Category:Johnsonverse