Exclusive! First images from "Ribbit"

A few months ago, I exclusively reported that Sean had done voiceover work for an animated film called "Ribbit." Sean portrays the title role of a frog in the Amazon rainforest who suffers from an identity crisis. The voice talents of Tim Curry as Terence and Russell Peters as Deepak are also featured.

I can now reveal the first images from the movie, thanks to Chuck Powers, director and writer of the film!

Sean as Ribbit and Russell Peters as vampire bat Deepak.
Yes, this is a vampire movie! ;-)

"Sean gives a performance of amazing range! Subtle, funny, vulnerable… A perfect leading frog!"
—Director and Writer, Chuck Powers

Many thanks to Chuck for the images!

Want Sean Astin to follow you on Twitter?

Sean is trying to encourage people to follow @waterkeeper, a nonprofit organization which aspires to protect every major watershed and provide fishable, swimmable and drinkable waterways worldwide.

He has promised to follow anyone who follows @waterkeeper between now and midnight New Year's Eve (time zone not specified) and lets him know. His tweet:

Read more about Waterkeeper Alliance.

NOTE: Sean's new Twitter name is @SeanAstin.

Witches of Oz to see US theatrical release

According to Dread Central, the newly renamed "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz" will have a limited theatrical release in the US this February.

The movie, which originally aired as a two-part miniseries in much of Europe, has been edited to theatrical length and had its special effects upgraded for the US market. Set in modern day New York City, Witches is a sequel to L. Frank Baum's stories (not to the 1939 movie), in which Dorothy, played by Paulie Rojas, struggles to remember her long ago past. It features Christopher Lloyd as the Wizard of Oz, Billy Boyd as Dorothy's love interest, and Sean Astin is a small but funny role as the tiny sprite, Frack.

Sean Astin as the sprite Frack

A new trailer is expected to be released shortly.

Sean plans marathon and half marathon

Sean already has running plans beyond the 2012 LA Marathon on March 18. He has signed up for the inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon on April 7. This 13.1 mile race will begin and end at Universal Studios and will pass such iconic locations as the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood & Highland, Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite celebrity. Wonder who Sean will go as… :-)

Sean will get this medal for finishing the course.

Press release here.

We expect to have an exclusive report on Sean and running in the next couple of weeks!

Sean Astin volunteers at Operation Gratitude

Sean worked with other volunteers at Operation Gratitude in Van Nuys, CA, today, helping to assemble care packages for troops serving in hostile areas, their children left behind, and wounded warriors recuperating in transition units. Today, the non-profit organization expected to ship their 750,000th package since their formation in 2003.

With Ricky Paull Goldin, 750,000th care package recipient Sgt. Eric Rodriguez and friends. Photo tweeted by Sean.

CBS Sunday Morning did a story on Operation Gratitude on December 11. Do watch the video; it shows how one person can indeed make a difference.

Learn more about Operation Gratitude and how you can help on their website and Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Anna Pearce, aka Patty Duke, on Twitter

At the urging of her son, who has become a Twitter addict, Anna Pearce, better known as Patty Duke, has joined Twitter. Sean has vowed to get her 1,000 followers by Christmas. Follow her here!

Official Santa to the Sea race photos

The official race photos for the Santa to the Sea half marathon held Sunday, December 11, are posted here. Sean's bib number is 0252.

Sean wins Best Actor award at NYII Film & Video Festival

Sean won a Best Actor award for his performance as the Father in Clay Beabout's "Deep Blue Breath" at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival last month. The film itself also won Best Short Film.

Deep Blue Breath has been shown at over 20 film festivals around the country, and has also won a Best Young Actor award for Clay at the Action on Film Festival, Best Short Film at the Independent's Film Festival, and Best Creative Media Film at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival.

In 2009, both Sean Astin and Elijah Wood worked with the Make a Film Foundation to help then 11-year old Clay with his film. MAFF teams film industry professionals with children who have been diagnosed with critical or life-threatening medical conditions in order to help them create short film legacies. More info on Sean's and Elijah's roles, and on how to get the movie and help MAFF are here.

You can like MAFF on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Sean Astin and Clay Beabout