James Mcavoy To Play Santa's Son

James Mcavoy To Play Santa's Son

James McAvoy will voice Father Christmas' son in a new movie.

The 'Atonement' actor has signed up for Aardman Animations forthcoming movie 'Arthur Christmas' and will play the title character opposite Jim Broadbent as his father and Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Claus.

The story focuses on the high-tech operation in the North Pole that allows Santa to deliver presents to all the world's children in one night, revealing Steve - voiced by Hugh Laurie - is actually the brains behind the achievement.

Also signed up to voice characters are Bill Nighy, who plays Grandsanta, who hates the modern world and thinks things were better when he delivered the presents, and Ashley Jensen, who voices ambitious elf Bryony.

Sarah Smith and Barry Cook are to co-direct the production from a script penned by Sarah and 'Borat's Peter Baynham.

The film - Aardman Animations' first CGI effort since 2006's 'Flushed Away' - is due for release through Sony Pictures on November 23 2011.