James Marsden joins "I Hop" comedy

LOS ANGELES  – James Marsden has signed on to star opposite Russell Brand in "I Hop," a live-action/computer-animated hybrid comedy.

Tim Hill, who directed the hybrid "Alvin and the Chipmunks," is pushing his resume into hipper territory with this tale of an out-of-work slacker (Marsden) who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Brand) and must take him in as he recovers. As Fred struggles with the world's worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

Marsden, who last appeared in Richard Kelly's "The Box," has two movies in the can. He appears in Neil LaBute's remake of the British ensemble comedy "Death at a Funeral," which opens in April, and then stars in "Straw Dogs," Rod Lurie's remake of the 1971 Sam Peckinpah thriller.