Alvin!!!!! Jason Lee pops for "Chipmunks"

By Nicole Sperling

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "My Name Is Earl" star Jason Lee has joined the cast of "Alvin and the Chipmunks," which begins production later this month ahead of a December 14 release through Fox.

Lee will play the Chipmunks' dad, Dave Seville, while chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore will be computer-generated. "Alvin" will focus on the trio's origins as helium-voiced singing sensations. Ross Bagdasarian Jr., the namesake son of the "Chipmunks" creator, will produce, along with his wife, Janice Karman.

Director Tim Hill ("Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties") will shoot the film. The project has been in development at Fox Animation since 2004.

"Alvin" marks Lee's second film role in an adaptation of a popular animated TV show. The actor recently signed on to voice the title character in Disney's "Underdog."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter