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Fanning tops voice cast for 'Coraline'
Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:50 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Dakota Fanning has signed on to voice the title character in Laika Entertainment's animated feature "Coraline."
Henry Selick ("Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas," "James and the Giant Peach") is writing and directing the film, based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman.
The story centers on a young girl (Fanning) who discovers an alternate version of her life after walking through a secret door in her new home. On the surface, this parallel reality is similar to her real life, only much better. The adventure turns dangerous, however, when the girl's counterfeit parents try to keep her forever.
"It's sweet kismet," Selick said. "Dakota is a very gifted actor who will bring great skill and emotional depth to the character. It will be an honor to work with her."
"Coraline" is in preproduction at Laika, a Portland, Ore.-based animation studio owned by Philip H. Knight.
Selick, who joined Laika as supervising director in May 2004, segued to "Coraline" after wrapping Laika's first CG film, the short "Moongirl," which reimagines lunar mythology.
Eleven-year-old Fanning, who began her acting career at age 6, has become one of the most in-demand actresses of any age. Her credits include "War of the Worlds," "Man on Fire" and "I Am Sam." She stars opposite Kurt Russell in DreamWorks' horse-themed "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story," which opens today. Fanning also toplines the upcoming "Charlotte's Web."
Laika, which absorbed Vinton Studios in July, produced "Tim Burton's Corpse Bride" and is in preproduction on the CG feature "Jack & Ben's Animated Adventure."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Thoughts? Aside from, you know, WTF DAKOTA FANNING IS TAKING OVER THE F WORLD.