Eddie Redmayne joins animation film 'Early Man'

Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne has signed up to star in Aardman Studios' next feature film 'Early Man.' The 34-year-old '

Theory of Everything

' star will voice caveman

Dug

in the prehistoric comedy, reported Digital Spy.

Redmayne is the first cast member announced in the toon, which is set at the dawn of time when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth. Directed by Nick Park, the stop-frame pic is co-financed by

Studiocanal

.

Eddie Redmayne will be hands on father

"Not only is Eddie a joy to work with, his versatility and boundless energy have really helped to bring my new character to life. "He embodies the cheeky charm, fun and plucky wit of Dug and I'm sure he'll get along brilliantly with Dug's sidekick

Hognob

," the filmmaker said.

It will be Park's first feature since 2005's 'Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.'

'

Early Man

' is scheduled to release on January 26, 2018.

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