Not content with getting himself onto the big screen, now Ricky Gervais has secured a deal to get his crazy creations the **Flanimals **a movie of their own too. The characters, which were originally set for the small screen in an ITV six-part series, will now have a 3-D adventure created by Universal's animation arm Illumination Entertainment and scripted by The Simpsons scribbler Matt Selman.
Lest the little critters steal his thunder, Gervais will voice the lead character and the cast will no doubt include a roster of his celebrity friends, playing such varied species as the Grundit, the Munty Fumble, and the Mernimbler.
With four illustrated **Flanimals **books to work from, the film will follow Gervais' character, Puddloflaj - like an ugly and confused member of the Ribena berry family - who lives alongside the 50 distinct species of cretinous-yet-cute creatures. Gervais, who is currently filming Cemetery Junction, noted on playing the role, "It will be great to play a short, fat, sweaty loser for a change. A real stretch."
Illumination founder Chris Meledandri will produce the film, as he works simultaneously to put the finishing touches on Despicable Me for release next summer, as well as kicking off production of the film based on the character Emily The Strange. Gervais will also exec produce. Well, you didn't expect him to let that one go did you?