Aardman Animation's 'Arthur Christmas' Casts James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie And Jim Broadbent

The last time we checked in on Arthur Christmas, the planned 3D CG holiday film from Aardman Animation, we had only a single promo image to offer up. Now there's a lot more detail, including a full plot description, clarification on the behind the scenes talent, and a voice cast that includes James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie and Jim Broadbent.

A press release from Sony Animation announces that James McAvoy will voice Arthur, "the good-natured but clumsy younger son of Santa." His voice will be heard alongside the talented pipes of Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Ashley Jensen in a story that "at last reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child's question: 'So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?' The answer: Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole."

From the press release:

Arthur LOVES everything to do with Christmas; indeed, he is the only one in his family still captivated by the magic of the holiday. Laurie will play Arthur's older brother Steve, heir to the reins, a cool, incredibly capable guy who has given the North Pole high-tech efficiency, military-style precision. Broadbent plays Santa, who pictures himself as the guy in charge at the North Pole, but is now more of a figurehead as the operation has outgrown him. Nighy plays Santa's 136-year-old father, Grandsanta, a cranky old codger who hates the modern world, is always grumbling that Christmas 'was better when I was Santa' and has a tense relationship with Steve, who he calls 'A postman with a spaceship.' Jensen will play Bryony, a lowly elf from the Giftwrap Battalion, with an eager-to-please attitude and an obsession with wrapping and bows. Imelda Staunton rounds out the cast as Mrs. Santa, dedicated wife and mother to her husband and sons.

As we previously reported, Sarah Smith is directing, with Barry Cook co-directing. The script is by Sarah Smith and Borat screenwriter Peter Baynham.