Universal's Illumination Entertainment will develop a 3-D animated feature based on Ricky Gervais' children's book series, Flanimals.

According to Variety, Gervais will voice the lead character, and the script will be written by Matt Selman (The Simpsons).

The four-volume series, illustrated by Rob Steen, encompasses a world inhabited by 50 species of creatures so ugly and misshapen they become cute and endearing. Gervais' character, a pudgy, perspiring purple creature, goes on a mission to change the world. "It will be great to play a short, fat, sweaty loser for a change," Gervais said. "A real stretch."

No production date has been set.