Hollywood actors lend their voices to Malaysian animated film

A number of Hollywood actors have signed up to the animated film Ribbit, a 3D feature co-produced by Malaysia’s KRU International and India’s Crest Animation Studios. 

World Screen reports the film will feature the voice talents of Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), Tim Curry (The Hunt for Red October), Cherami Leigh (Fast Food Nation) and comedian Russell Peters. The comedy/adventure tells the story of a frog with an identity crisis against the backdrop of the Amazon rain forest. 

The animated film has already been picked up in more than 80 countries including the U.K., Germany, Australia, Japan, China and Brazil. The stereoscopic 3D version of the feature is slated to premiere at this year’s Marché du Film.

The international production was partially financed by the Malaysian government through the Multimedia Development Corporation. The actors recorded their voices in Los Angeles, while development and postproduction took place in Malaysia. Animation was split between Malaysia and India, with the bulk of the rendering work taking place in Hong Kong.

“We have been in the entertainment business since 1992; however, we realize that the best way for us to go global is via animated feature films and television shows,” said Norman A. Halim, the movie’s exec producer and the CEO and president of KRU. “We have gathered the best talents in the region for Ribbit.”