Oscar winner lined up for Nick Park's new film

Comedy movie Early Man is the brainchild of Nick Park, and the lead character, a caveman called Dug, will be voiced by The Theory of Everything actor.

Born in Preston and raised in Walmer Bridge, Nick is the creator of family favourites Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep and the director has spoken about why Eddie is perfect for the role of the shaggy-haired caveman.

“Not only is Eddie a joy to work with, his versatility and boundless energy have really helped to bring my new character to life,” he said.

“He embodies the cheeky charm, fun and plucky wit of Dug and I’m sure he’ll get along brilliantly with Dug’s sidekick Hognob.”

The 34-year-old actor is the first cast member announced for the movie, which is set at the dawn of time when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth.

The film tells the story of how Dug unites his tribe against the mighty Bronze Age in a battle to beat them at their own game.

Directed by Nick, the Aardman Studios’ film is co-financed by Studiocanal, representing the second union between Europe’s two premier animation forces. The firms last teamed on 2015’s Shaun the Sheep Movie.

Nick was executive producer on the film which was up for Best Animated Feature Film at this year’s Oscar awards although was beaten by Inside Out.

The animated film, which is also supported by the British Film Institute, is due to come out in early 2018 and Studiocanal will distribute the title in the UK as well as France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.