Movies: Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey Bask In The Light Of “The Star”

Pop divas Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey make their marks this Holiday season in Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a family film about the events leading up to the very first Christmas.

Clarkson provides the voice of one of the stable animals, Leah the Horse, while Carey composes and sings the film's title track.

In The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day Bo finds the courage to break free and ends up befriending newlyweds Joseph and Mary. Mary’s kindness soon sets Bo on the adventure of his dreams. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo follows the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

Movies: Steven Yeun Is Bo, A Small Donkey With Big Dreams In “The Star”

He's best known for his starring role in the AMC smash hit The Walking Dead as Glenn Rhee, a role which he originated and developed into a pivotal character, becoming a favorite for both fans and critics alike for seven seasons.

Now, Korean actor Steven Yeun lends his voice to Bo, a pint-sized donkey who wholeheartedly believes he is destined for a bigger purpose, in Sony Pictures Animation's The Star (in Philippine cinemas December 6.)

In the film, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

Movies: Oprah Leads Voice Cast Of Quirky Camels In “The Star”

No less than legendary Queen of Talk and humanitarian Oprah Winfrey leads the voice actors of not-so-wise camels in Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a family film about the events leading up to the very first Christmas.

Tyler Perry (Gone Girl) lends voice to Cyrus, the know-it-all camel, Felix (Tracy Morgan) is not sure if he knows anything, and Deborah (Winfrey) is the one actually paying attention. These three will do more than just carry the Wise Men.

“Watching this cast work was really inspiring. The thing that really surprised me was how each of these artists approached their particular roles,” says director Timothy Reckart. Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Tracy Morgan all became the perfect counterpoints to each other as the camels – Tyler as the self-appointed leader who thinks he’s smarter than he actually is; Tracy as his belligerent, hilarious brother; and Oprah as the wise camel who is the only one who may actually see what’s going on.

Movies: Gina Ridriquez, Zachary Levi Cast As Mary, Joseph In “The Star”

Two of today's most talented actors – Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) and Zachary Levi (DC's upcoming Shazam!) – are cast as the voices of Mary and Joseph in Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a family film about the events leading up to the very first Christmas.

Watch the The Star featurette on Levi and Rodriguez at http://youtu.be/0fNMN_Ynsls.)

In the film, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

Bravely embracing her destiny, Mary is a strong, confident, and optimistic young woman who always treats others with love and kindness—especially Bo.

Movies: “The Star” -- The First Christmas Through Eyes Of Manger Animals

How do you tell one of the most famous stories ever recorded and bring it to the screen in a fresh, new way? This was the challenge facing the filmmakers behind The Star, Affirm Films and Sony Pictures Animation’s family film about the events leading up to the very first Christmas.

(Check out new footage from The Star at http://youtu.be/yzPQ5yuZrL8 and watch the film in Philippine cinemas December 6.)

“It’s the Nativity story from the point of view of the animals, and in this film, we follow Bo, who is the donkey that carries Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem,” explains director Timothy Reckart.

Movie News: “The Star” Soundtrack Album Releases First Track “Life Is Good”

In anticipation of the worldwide release of Sony Pictures Animation’s animated motion picture The Star, in Philippine cinemas December 6, Epic Records and Sony Pictures Animation will release The Star: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack in stores and online October 27.

The soundtrack assembles new music from a bevy of powerhouse superstars befitting of the cast’s blockbuster pedigree. Leading the tracklisting, Mariah Carey performs the film’s theme song “The Star.”

The first track for instant grat is “Life is Good” by A Great Big World. Watch the song's lyric video here at http://youtu.be/hH9LbKQCbRw.

Following that, Fifth Harmony will release “Can You See”.

In addition, Kirk Franklin, Kelsea Ballerini, Zara Larsson, and more serve up new tracks recorded specifically for The Star. Each artist got into the spirit with show-stopping and standout performances.

Spring Aspers, Head of Music for Sony Pictures, commented, “The filmmakers of The Star have delivered a funny but faithful turn on the nativity story, and Mariah Carey’s soulful performance of the film’s theme song adds a layer of depth and emotion that will have audiences feeling the spirit. This compilation is full of Christmas classics old and new that not only perfectly fit the film, but make the perfect soundtrack for the season.”

Check out the full tracklisting below.

1.Mariah Carey – “The Star”
2.Kelsea Ballerini – “Children Go Where I Send You”
3.Kirk Franklin – “We Three Kings”
4.Fifth Harmony – “Can You See”
5.A Great Big World – “Life Is Good”
6.Zara Larsson – “Mary, Did You Know”
7.Yolanda Adams – “O Holy Night”
8.Saving Forever – “What Christmas Means to Me”
9.Jessie James Decker – “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)”
10.Casting Crowns – “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”
11.Jake Owen – “What Child Is This?”
12.Pentatonix – “Carol of the Bells”*

*digital-only bonus track

In Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

The film stars the voices of Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Aidy Bryant, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Patricia Heaton, Kristin Chenoweth, Christopher Plummer, and Tracy Morgan and Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. Directed by Timothy Reckart, the screenplay is by Carlos Kotkin, with a story by Simon Moore and Carlos Kotkin. The film is executive produced by DeVon Franklin, Brian Henson, and Lisa Henson, and produced by Jennifer Magee-Cook.

The Star is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Movies: Follow “The Star” With First Official Trailer

Experience the first-ever Christmas from an entirely new perspective. Watch the first official trailer for Sony Pictures Animation’s The Star now at https://youtu.be/ITpD5e4wjQ0.

In The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

The Star is directed by Timothy Reckart from the screenplay by Carlos Kotkin.

The voice cast includes Steven Yeun (Bo the donkey), Gina Rodriguez (Mary), Zachary Levi (Joseph), Keegan-Michael Key (Dave the dove), Kelly Clarkson (Leah the horse), Anthony Anderson (Zach the goat), Aidy Bryant (Ruth the sheep), Ving Rhames (Thaddeus the dog), Gabriel Iglesias (Rufus the dog), Patricia Heaton (Edith the cow), Kristin Chenoweth (Abby the Mouse), Christopher Plummer (King Herod), and Tracy Morgan (Felix), and Tyler Perry (Cyrus) and Oprah Winfrey (Deborah).

Opening across the Philippines on December 6, The Star is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.