Dan Aykroyd in talks to play Yogi Bear
Last Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 | 12:45 PM ET
CBC News
Dan Aykroyd, shown April 22, is reported to be in talks to voice Yogi Bear. (Judi Bottoni/Associated Press) Canadian comedian and winemaker Dan Aykroyd is in talks to play Yogi Bear in a part-live action, part-animated film based on the 1960s cartoon series.
Singer Justin Timberlake and Anna Faris, of Observe and Report, are also in negotiations to voice characters in the Warner Bros. film. Timberlake has been suggested for the role of Boo Boo, Yogi's sidekick.
The character of Yogi Bear, the clever bear who continually outsmarts the ranger in Jellystone Park, was inspired by Ed Norton on the The Honeymooners.
He began as an animated character on The Huckleberry Hound Show and was given his own show in 1961 by Hanna-Barbera.
Eric Brevig, who helmed Journey to the Center of the Earth, is directing the new Yogi movie from a script by Brad Copeland.
Shooting is expected to start in New Zealand next month with the film to come out in 2010, according to Variety.
Ottawa-born Aykroyd gained fame through his work on Saturday Night Live and was one of the Blues Brothers with John Belushi. He starred in the Ghostbusters films in 1984 and 1989 and is signed up for a third Ghostbusters to come out in 2012.
