Planet 51 voices cast

Just under a full year ago, I mentioned a new animated movie that was on the books getting made called Planet One, a Spanish sci fi comedy film. To paraphrase myself the film is about an alien world populated by antenna sporting eight fingered humanoids. The planet for the most part resembles 1950s American suburbia. And into this mix a human astronaut falls. Invasion rumors spread, and hilarity (presumably) ensures.

Well, the film is moving along swiftly now that New Line has picked it up for release here. The title is now Planet 51, and the film is slated for a release on July 24th, 2009. And now Variety is reporting on the key voice cast, which by animated standards is pretty good if you ask me. The lead role of astronaut Chuck Baker has gone to your hero and mine, Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson. Who is joined on this adventure by Jessica Biel, Sean William Scott, and Justin Long. The film is written by Joe Stillman, famed as one of many writers on Shrek and Shrek 2. But despite that, I have high hopes for this film. I love sci fi animated features. They get made so rarely that I appreciate every one, although, other than Iron Giant, none of the ones I can think of have lived up to their potential. Hopefully Wall-E and this one will start a trend to change that rule of thumb.

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