Aardman Animation's 'Arthur Christmas' New Teaser And Poster

New animation from Aardman Animation (Wallace & Gromit) is like a gift, so the company is (appropriately) making a Christmas film called, er, Arthur Christmas. We've seen one brief, cheeky teaser trailer, and now there is a second just as cheeky teaser to put you in mind of the November release. It's good stuff; check it out along with a new poster for the film, after the break.

Yahoo can give you the HD version.

This looks like a winner: cute and very well-executed animation, and some great voice work from James McAvoy as Arthur, the younger and most Christmas-loving son of Santa Claus.

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.