The genie is out of the bottle.
After 13 years of ambitious work that has taken him to exotic places around the world, writer and director Matt Busch is sharing a close look at his new film, “Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom.”
“It might be 2023, but for me, it’s the year of 3477,” said Busch, whose launch of a Kickstarter campaign to cover the costs of the film festival circuit has already created a buzz around the movie.
“The last time I checked we had about 300,000 views,” Busch said, during a tour of his studio in Macomb Township.
Busch has always been a Michigander.
But after earning his associate degree from Macomb Community College the former Sterling Heights resident pursued his passion for art and film at the Art Center College of Design in California. It’s there in Hollywood that he started illustrating storyboards and concept art for blockbuster films like “Con-Air” and “The Matrix.”
Each commissioned piece led to another and pretty soon, Busch was completing projects headed up by the likes of Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”), Stephen Spielberg (“Indiana Jones”), Duffer Brothers (“Stranger Things”) and George Lucas (“Star Wars”). Busch gained notoriety in the world of licensing and publishing with each project completed, but the massive collection of art that he’s created over the years has been for Lucas’ universe. Just ask any Earthling who happens to like Star Wars and chances are they’ve seen his illustrations on books, posters, T-shirts and more.
“It’s been great working with George Lucas,” Busch said, while pulling out a storyboard that he created in college, long before he was drawing Yoda and Darth Vader. However, after years of working on other people’s projects Busch decided it was time to start work on his own. So, he moved his studio from Hollywood to Macomb Township, started teaching his craft at MCC and went to work on his science-fiction trilogy.
“When I was growing up all I wanted to do was make movies but the cost of making films was so out of range,” Busch said.
Now that’s not the case.
Technology has made it easier to fulfill one’s dream and that’s been his goal since 2000. “This is where we do all of the editing,” Busch said, while standing over a computer with several monitors.
Also part of the studio’s scenery were costumes and props that went into the making of Busch’s film, which is based on the classic “Arabian Nights” tale but takes place 1,500 years into the future.
“Unlike Disney’s version, this adventure looks like ‘Star Wars’ but feels like ‘Indiana Jones,’” said Casey McGath, who believes movie goers are going to love the cast of characters including Aladdin, Princess Kamala and Fidgi.
Actor Erik Steele plays Aladdin Bhaskara, a scrappy thief from Hong Kong who longs for a classier and posh lifestyle as opposed to the hodge-podge one he currently lives in the year 3477.
Movie trivia: TK-3477 also happens to be Busch’s official number as an honorary member of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers.
As one would expect Princess Kamala, played by Christi Perovski, lives a life of luxury as a royal in the Taj Mahal (which now floats in the sky) but would trade all of her gold for an adventurous and more meaningful life.
Fidgi is one of the characters children will adore.
First created by Busch for a graphic novel called, “Kastar Shandax”, Fidgi is a sarcastic robot built out of a vintage radio who floats around Aladdin, with the aid of technology and a little help from a master puppeteer (Busch).
Then there’s the genie, or Jinn of Wisdom, who is not a humorous character like Aladdin but more of a mythological character seeking to teach and mentor.
“It’s such a huge cast I think people will find a favorite among them,” added McGath, who is especially smitten with Oomi, a strong female character played by Lin Zy. “I’m just so happy for Matt (and his fans) who will finally be able to see what’s been in the works for so long.”
This is especially true for the cast and crew, most of whom have dedicated as much time to the project as Busch.
“Patience is key when working on a project of this scale with limited resources,” said Erik Steele, who had started his own venture, as owner of TH3 Studio — a video production and creative services company — shortly before taking on the role of Aladdin. “Matt is such a kind-hearted soul who truly goes above and beyond for his friends and colleagues. Working with him rarely feels like work, and more like hanging out with a buddy.”
That is until you find yourself covered in slime because the scene called for it,” added Steele, noting what has helped to bring Busch’s dream to life as a director ties into the fact that he is such an amazing artist.
“He storyboarded almost every shot in the movie so when I would come to the set I could see in great detail what I would be doing that day. He also brings the best snacks to the set for sharing,” mused the actor, whose big brown eyes and boyish grin pair nicely as the scrappy thief from Hong Kong who becomes obsessed with the Princess of India and sets off on a globe-trotting journey to an ancient sage. He’s also quite fit and was able to do all of his own stunts, which included getting thrown through walls, hanging upside down from chains and being tossed into multiple bodies of water.
“It was just a blast,” Steele said, of the filming that took place. “I was also blown away by the sheer detail that went into building a majority of the sets. I’m a huge fan of practical effects and this movie is chock full of them.”
A date for the premiere of the first film in the trilogy has not been finalized but even those in the industry are excited about it evident by Hong Kong’s “Most Anticipated Film Project” award presented to Busch in 2018. It could open at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) or Sundance. Then again, it could go straight to the theater depending on distribution. Until then, Busch has plans for several exciting reward reveals besides the Kickstarter campaign that ends on March 3, to keep the momentum going including a contest inviting fans to recreate a trailer for the movie.
“I’m just so grateful to have had the opportunity to create these films with family and friends,” Busch said. “To see the positive response fans are already expressing about the campaign is through-the-roof amazing.”
For more updates on the film visit aladdin3477.com or mattbusch.com.
