TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An all-star cast of Emmy award-winner Katherine Heigl, Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Stephen Lang, Sarah Gadon, and comedian Jeff Dunham have signed on to lend their voices for the animated comedy feature The Nut Job, directed by Peter Lepeniotis for ToonBox Entertainment and Redrover Co., Ltd.
Based on the 2005 award-winning comedy short film Surly Squirrel by Disney animation veteran Lepeniotis, The Nut Job marks the Canadian-based ToonBox’s first feature film with Korean partner Redrover, in association with Gulfstream Pictures, which is handling U.S. sales.
Fully financed by Redrover and its partners, the film is currently in production with plans for a 2013 release. Additional cast will be announced shortly.
Thom Chapman and Graham Moloy produce. Daniel Woo, Hong Kim, Mike Karz, and Tom Yoon executive produce, in association with Gulfstream, headed by Karz and Bill Bindley.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the cast that’s being assembled for our first feature,” said Chapman, ToonBox vice president. “They have brought the film to a whole new level. Each voice is perfect for their respective roles, and they truly make the characters come alive.”
Written by veteran Disney animation screenwriter and Canadian Lorne Cameron (Brother Bear, Over the Hedge), The Nut Job is an action-packed comedy grounded in the late 1950s in fictional Oakton that follows the travails of Surly, a mischievous squirrel, and his rat friend Buddy, who plan a nut store heist of outrageous proportions and unwittingly find themselves embroiled in a much more complicated and hilarious adventure.
ToonBox Entertainment Ltd. brings to life original content for film, television, and interactive media with concepts derived from captivating character designs and storylines. With a team of over 130 highly skilled and dedicated employees using state-of-the-art equipment and innovative stereoscopic technology, ToonBox has the ability to produce Hollywood quality content for an independent production’s budget. Based in downtown Toronto, ToonBox works closely with partner company Redrover Co., Ltd. in Korea to produce the animation, special effects, compositing and 3D stereoscopic renders.