Hugh Grant to voice animated pirate

Hugh Grant is to voice an animated character for the first time.

The 'Love Actually' star has signed up to play the role of Pirate Captain in 'The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists' alongside Martin Freeman, Salma Hayek, Imelda Staunton and David Tennant.

The stop-motion 3-D picture has been produced by Aardman Animations for Sony Picture Animation and will be distributed by Columbia Pictures.

The story tells the tale of an enthusiastic pirate who alongside a rag-tag crew battles against Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to win the Pirate of the Year Award.

'Chicken Run' director Peter Lord will direct the project, and admits he is delighted with the cast he has pulled together.

He said: "I'm so grateful to the entire cast for their talent and energy. The characters that they've created fill the screen with life and fun.

"As the Pirate Captain, Hugh Grant has given a stand-out performance - he combines an effortless on-screen warmth with brilliant comic timing. And as the leader of our motley pirate crew, he shows a real barnstorming, swashbuckling side of his character as well. Only Hugh could anchor this story of love, loyalty, greed, and nautical high-jinks."

The movie is set for release on March 30, 2012.