Exodus Film Group announced today that it has cast Golden Globe winner John Goodman to voice the role of “Paul Bunyan” for their upcoming CG-animated film Bunyan & Babe. He will play “Paul Bunyan” in the family adventure film adaptation of the legend.
Goodman, who is known for his portrayal of the blue-collar husband and father on TV’s “Roseanne,” received an Emmy nomination this year for his guest appearance on the NBC series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” He is currently in production on the Warner Bros. film Speed Racer. Goodman can next be seen in the animated film Bee Movie, due out this November and In the Electric Mist for director Bertrand Tavernier. His film credits include Evan Almighty, the animated feature Monsters, Inc., The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? He joins comedian Eddie Griffin (Undercover Brother, Norbit) who is providing the voice of his sidekick “Babe the Blue Ox.”
“John is dream casting for us,” said Max Howard, Exodus president and executive producer. “He epitomizes the true American spirit of Paul Bunyan.”
Set in modern times, Bunyan & Babe is a family adventure film adaptation of the legend of Paul Bunyan. The film tells the story of Bunyan’s attempts, with the help of two adventurous kids, to rescue Babe from the evil clutches of a demented circus owner.
Bunyan & Babe was written by Michael A. Nickles & Julia A. Wall and will be directed by three-time Academy Award winner Jim Rygiel. Rygiel has an impressive resume of major effects films, winning three Oscars as well as three BAFTA awards for visual effects for each of “The Lord of the Rings” films. He was also the visual effects director on 102 Dalmatians, Anna and the King, Star Trek: Insurrection, The Parent Trap and most recently Night at the Museum. Exodus CEO John D. Eraklis is producing with Howard.
The late award-winning Composer Basil Poledouris wrote the theme music for the film. The script was polished by Ian LeFrenais and Dick Clement, the writers of DreamWorks Animation’s feature, Flushed Away.
