Jay Leno and Jennifer Coolidge Join the Voice Cast of Igor

Exodus Film Group announced that #1 late night talk show host Jay Leno and perennial siren and Groundlings comedy troupe veteran Jennifer Coolidge have joined the voice cast of its CG-animated feature comedy Igor. Leno will voice the role of "King Malbert," Malaria's Machiavellian ruler with Coolidge voicing the role of "Sybil," the village vixen. They join Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, and Christian Slater.

Igor, distributed by The Weinstein Company, is a playfully irreverent comedy which brings a new twist to the classic monster genre. It tells the story of a mad scientist's hunchbacked lab assistant who has big dreams of becoming a scientist in his own right and winning the coveted first place award at the annual Evil Science Fair.

"Jay and Jennifer each have unique voices and brilliant comedic timing, both of which are ideal for the film," said Tony Leondis, "Igor's" director. "We're thrilled to have them join an already stellar voice cast."

Leno, Emmy Award-winning host of the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, has won the top ratings in late night television for over 11 consecutive seasons, dominating the last 45 quarters without interruption. In the upcoming Igor film, he will voice the role of "King Malbert," the country of Malaria's shrewd and fiendish ruler. One of the country's premier comedians, Leno continues to perform hundreds of comedy shows around the United States annually, as he has done for the past 20 years. He has lent his voice to recent CG-animated films Cars, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and Robots, and the animated TV show The Fairly Oddparents (Nickelodeon) and has appeared in such films as The Flintstones and Collision Course. Leno's two children's books, published by Simon & Schuster, "How To Be The Funniest Kid In The Whole Wide World (Or Just Your Class)" and "If Roast Beef Could Fly" were both New York Times Bestsellers.

Memorable for her role as Stifler's Mom in the American Pie films, Coolidge will voice the role of "Sybil," the village vixen and Dr. Schadenfreude's sexy and vain girlfriend, who's determined to get a fast ticket to Evil Street. Her film credits also include Robots, where she voiced the role of Aunt Fanny, Click, Date Movie, A Cinderella Story and most recently For Your Consideration.

Voice talent also includes Emmy winner Jeremy Piven ("Entourage," Cars) in the role of "Dr. Schadenfreude," Igor's nemesis; Molly Shannon (Talladega Nights, Saturday Night Live) as "Eva," a giant, indestructible Monster invented by Igor; Steve Buscemi (Charlotte's Web, Fargo) as "Scamper," Igor's super intelligent and ill-tempered lab rabbit; John Cleese (Shrek 2 & 3, Valiant) as "Dr. Glickenstein," Igor's evil master; and Christian Slater (Bobby, Windtalkers) as Igor.

The Weinstein Company has an all-encompassing distribution deal for Igor, including North America as well as representing international rights. TWC secured film distribution for most foreign territories at last year's Cannes Film Festival and American Film Market.

Award-winning animation veteran Leondis (The Prince of Egypt, Lilo & Stitch 2) is directing the screenplay by Chris McKenna (American Dad!). Exodus' president John D. Eraklis is producing along with seasoned animation executive Max Howard, who has collaborated on numerous animated blockbusters such as Disney's Lion King and Aladdin, and Warner Bros.' Space Jam and The Iron Giant. Eric Robinson is overseeing on behalf of The Weinstein Company. Leno and Coolidge are represented by ICM.