Sep 16, 2006 - 20th Century Fox Animation confirmed Jim Carrey and Steve Carell have joined the cast of the CGI animated feature film, Horton Hears a Who, based on the book by Dr Seuss (otherwise known as Ted Geisel). Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (the writing team behind Bubble Boy and Santa Clause 2) adapted Dr Seuss' classic story for the big screen, with Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino on board to direct.
While Horton Hears a Who will mark Jim Carrey's debut as the voice of an animated character in a feature film, it isn't the first time the actor has been involved in a Dr Seuss project.

Carrey previously starred in the live action film, The Grinch, directed by Ron Howard. Carrey played the title role in The Grinch and will provide the voice of the lovable elephant Horton in Horton Hears a Who. Carell has been cast as the voice of the Mayor of Who-Ville.

In a statement announcing the casting of Carrey and Carell, Chris Meledandri (president of Twentieth Century Fox Animation) said, "At the heart of the movies that we make are the characters, and in Horton, Geisel has created a character with an unwavering moral center, a charming innocence, and a selfless willingness to protect others, even at his own expense. Of the 44 books he wrote, Horton Hears a Who is one of his strongest narratives, with enormous stakes - the entire fate of a world hangs in the balance. Geisel had one of the greatest imaginations of the twentieth century, and Jim Carrey's extraordinary talents are a wonderful match to Geisel's vision. Steve Carell will not only be bringing his great comedic abilities to the role of the Mayor but also his uncanny gift of finding the humanity in every character he plays."

"The film's CG imagery," Meledandri added, "and the extraordinary artists at Blue Sky Studios will give us the opportunity to truly transport audiences into a Seuss world for the very first time."

20th Century Fox plans to release Horton Hears a Who on March 14, 2008.

Horton Hears a Who - The Official Synopsis

Horton Hears a Who is about an imaginative elephant who hears a cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Suspecting there may be life on that speck and despite a surrounding community which thinks he has lost his mind, Horton is determined to help.

Source: 20th Century Fox