Astin, Ribisi sign up for animated film

LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- The voices of U.S. actors Sean Astin, Giovanni Ribisi and Anjelica Huston will be featured in the animated fairy tale "Spirit of the Forest," producers say.

Astin and Ribisi are to play gophers whose home is imperiled when an evil businesswoman (Huston) plans to demolish their forest to construct a highway, the Hollywood Reporter said.

"In 'Lord of the Rings,' my favorite element in the story was the Ents, these massive trees getting cut down that fought for their own survival; in 'Spirit,' the trees also come to life," Astin told the trade paper, noting the environmental message in both films. "It's another way of telling a story that needs to continue to be told. Progress comes at a price."

Astin has starred in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, as well as the films "The Goonies" and "Rudy."

Ribisi has a recurring role on TV's "My Name is Earl," and has appeared in the films "Perfect Stranger," "Cold Mountain" and "Gone in Sixty Seconds."

Huston's film credits include "The Darjeeling Limited," "Ever After," "The Grifters" and "Prizzi's Honor."