Here's one of those news stories we're not sure we could have predicted, even given his history voicing animated characters: Samuel L. Jackson is joining Chris Pratt in the new animated movie featuring iconic cat Garfield.
Pratt is voicing the main character, the laconic, lasagne loving/Monday hating feline created by Jim Davis and first published in Stateside comic strips in 1978. He's since gone on to be a syndication and merchandising behemoth, while also spawning several TV series, the much-maligned 2004 film named for him and its sequel, 2006's Garfield: A Tale Of Two Kitties, which saw Bill Murray providing the voice.
David Reynolds wrote the script for the new animated take, and it'll be directed by his old The Emperor's New Groove collaborator Mark Dindal.
Jackson will be playing a brand new character, Vic, who happens to be Garfield's father. We haven't met him before in comic strip or cartoon form (though Garfield's mother and grandfather have both appeared, along with other members of his family).
There's still no word yet on who will be voicing other key characters such as Jon, Garfield's owner, but expect the usual drip feed of casting news.
Garfield should be on screens in November next year. As for Jackson, he'll next be heard rather than seen, voicing a character in Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank, which has yet to confirm a UK date. Most recently, he's been busy reprising Nick Fury for Marvel's Secret Invasion Disney+ series.