James Marsden, Russell Brand and the Easter Bunny | SPIKE

What do James Marsden, Russell Brand and the Easter Bunny all have in common? They're sharing screen time in the new movie I Hop. And no, this has nothing to do with elaborately festooned pancakes.

The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop that James Marsden, better known to most of us as Cyclops, is joining the film I Hop. The story follows a slacker (Marsden) who unintentionally maims the Easter Bunny, who is going to be animated in CG and voiced by Brand. Because he's injured said bunny Marsden has to take over the bunny's Easter duties. Yeah, I know, the story sounds...kind of stupid. But here's a few more details about the project:

Tim Hill, who directed the hybrid "Alvin and the Chipmunks," is pushing his resume into hipper territory with this tale of an out-of-work slacker (Marsden) who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Brand) and must take him in as he recovers. As Fred struggles with the world's worst houseguest, both will learn what it takes to finally grow up.

Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio and Brian Lynch are writing the screenplay. Illumination's Christopher Meledandri and John Cohen are producing.

Well, it's a far cry from The Box, Marsden's most recent film. But will this rise above typical holiday themed fare? That's the question.

It seems like if you're going to cast a comedian like Brand, who is hilarious both in his delivery and in the use of his body, you'd want him in the flesh. Instead he's simply voicing an animated, man-sized bunny. This all seems so bizarre, it's hard to picture any of it. Images of Roger Rabbit mixed with Tim Allen films flash through my head.

What are your thoughts? Does this have potential, or is this going to be a movie to miss?

Source: Jamie McCarthy/Dave Hogan/Getty Images