Steve Carell signs for Despicable Me

Steve Carell, Julie Andrews and a roster of other funny folk have joined the cast of Despicable Me, a new computer animated ‘toon from Universal.

The Get Smart star will play Groo, a scheming evil type plotting to hijack the moon and supported by his evil mother (Andrews). But his scheme is interrupted by the arrival of three orphans who refuse to leave his care.

Carell and Andrews are being joined by the likes of Jason Segel, Kristin Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, 30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer and Flight Of The Conchords’ Jermaine Clement.

Given that Carell voiced a role in Horton Hears A Who for producer Chris Melendandri, you won’t be surprised to learn the new film is a Horton reunion.

Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio writing

Horton scribes Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio are behind the script, though we figure with so many Judd Apatow regulars in the cast, the final product will be loaded down with improv.

Chris Renaud and Pierre coffin are the men charged with getting it all in shape for a release date in 2010, according to Variety .

Melendandri apparently decided to make the film because his kids always preferred the villains to the heroes in animated movies. We can see their point.

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