Matt Busch, the Lebanon native who has made a name for himself in creating official artwork for Star Wars and other franchises, is now developing a sci-fi project of his own.
Busch’s new project, which is now open for crowdfunding on Kickstarter, is titled “Aladdin 3477.”
“Aladdin 3477” is planned to be a trilogy of movies based on the original folktale. Set in a futuristic Asia in the year 3477, the trilogy’s first movie, “The Jinn of Wisdom,” is nearing completion of production.
According to the Kickstarter page, the films are meant to “look like Star Wars, feel like Indiana Jones, with a story vast in scope like Lord of the Rings,” all properties with which Busch has professional connections.
The trailer for the first movie is available on YouTube.
Busch was born in Lebanon County in 1972 and relocated to Detroit in his youth. At age 4, he saw the first “Star Wars” movie, which inspired him to begin drawing. As a young adult, his skills became a career, and has since worked on plenty of illustrations and merchandise for “Star Wars,” along with other properties such as “Indiana Jones,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “Lost,” and “Stranger Things,” among others.
Busch describes “Aladdin 3477” as his magnum opus on the film’s website. With extensive practical and digital effects, elaborate set designs, puppetry, and concept design, the project has been a massive undertaking for Busch and his team of actors and crew. The Kickstarter campaign, which has already raised over $40,000 (surpassing its base goal of $10,000) for the last bit of production on the first film and release support, is currently set to end on March 3. Anyone can still contribute to the campaign and receive updates, merchandise, and other goodies from the project.
Those interested in seeing this Lebanon-born artist’s vision come to fruition may follow the project on Facebook and Instagram in addition to the Kickstarter campaign.
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