When you think of a cute bunny playing a drum, the first thing that pops into your mind is probably the Energizer bunny. But fear not my friends, prepare to forget about the cute bunny who only plays one drum, “Hop” is coming to us this Easter season. From the creators of “Despicable Me” comes the story of Easter’s possible demise after the Easter Bunny is struck by a vehicle.
Russell Brand (“Get Him to the Greek,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) will be voicing the Easter Bunny while James Marsden (“X-Men,” “Superman Returns,” “Enchanted”) is playing Fred, the slacker who accidentally hits the Easter Bunny with his car and takes him in so he can recover. Filling out the cast we have Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Flinstones”), Chelsea Handler (“Chelsea Lately”), Kaley Cuoco (“The Big Bang Theory,” “Charmed”), and Tiffany Espensen (“Fame,” “Phineas and Ferb”).
“Hop” will blend live action with animation, much like “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” I anticipate “Hop” will be cutesy funny and I think it is about time we give other fantasy characters some of the spotlight. I mean, Santa Clause is a cool cat and all, and I appreciate his cooperation during the holiday season, but I think it’s great that we are letting the Easter bunny into the limelight and actually promoting a children’s Easter movie. Sure the bunny has had cameos in other films, but I ask you, is this a fair balance?
I think Russell Brand has great speech quirks that are going to be really interesting to see behind the bunny of Easter. Plus it’s a nice ulterior career move. When I think of Russell Brand, all I can think of is drugs, sex, and rock and roll. But with “Hop” he’s bringing us candy, chicks, and rock and roll, and I hope some Peeps as well.
“Hop” is set for release on April 1, 2011. Take the kids, I’m sure they will enjoy it.
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Follow Jessika Owens on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jessika.