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André Benjamin, from the multi-platinum and Grammy winning hip-hop duo OutKast, continues to spread his creative wings as the voice of the hilarious dimwitted crow Elwyn in Charlotte's Web, a live-action adaptation of the classic children's book.
Charlotte's Web is a timeless story of loyalty, trust and sacrifice, scheduled for release from Paramount Pictures on December 20th.
In addition to Benjamin, Thomas Haden Church is the voice Brooks, his crow pal. Dakota Fanning stars on-screen as Fern, the first one to see something in Wilbur the pig that others miss.
Andre Benjamin voices Elwyn the crow in 'Charlott's Web'
Julia Roberts is the voice of Charlotte the spider, who becomes Wilbur's best friend and savior. Also joining as cast voices for Charlotte's Web is Oprah Winfrey as Gussy, the barn's maternal-yet-irreverent goose, Cedric the Entertainer as Golly the gander; Steve Buscemi as the barn's sardonic rat, Templeton; John Cleese as Samuel, the sheep; Kathy Bates and Reba McEntire as the barn's sarcastic cows, Betsy and Bitsy; and Robert Redford as Ike, the horse.
Charlotte's Web is the story of a very small pig that finds the most powerful force in the world is the bond of friendship. Wilbur, a pig and the runt of the litter, has a youthful manner that makes him seem naïve to the other animals in his new barn, but to Charlotte - the spider who lives in the rafters - he is a welcome friend. Their friendship is shown to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that the pig's days are numbered. It seems that only a miracle will save Wilbur's life, but a determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving. The magical story of loyalty and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation.
The critically acclaimed book Charlotte's Web, written by award-winning author E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams, is the best selling children's paperback of all time. To date, the book has sold 45 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 23 languages. Charlotte's Web is published by HarperCollins.
Most recently Benjamin and OutKast partner Antwon "Big Boi" Patton starred in the highly acclaimed feature Idlewild. Benjamin has also become the producer, co-creator, and star of a new series on Cartoon Network: "Class of 3000," a play on his stage name. It is an animated series about an Atlanta performing arts school grad who ditches a successful music career to become a music teacher.
André 3000 fans find it no wonder the artist hasn't toured. But Benjamin said that it's not the projects that have taken him from the music stage - it's love lost.
"I stopped touring two and a half years ago before any of these projects happened. After a while you don't feel the same kind of passion that you did when you first started, but I still love to make music and I think it's in me. I'll make music forever, but I just wanted to take my time to do other things that I really love instead of being on stage and kind of going through the motions," he explained.
Benjamin's other acting credits include the films Four Brothers, Be Cool and the hit TV series The Shield. He also plans to launch his own clothing line this year.
Paramount Pictures and Walden Media Present a Kerner Entertainment Company/Nickelodeon Movies production, "Charlotte's Web." Directed by Gary Winick, the film's screenplay is by Susannah Grant and Karey Kirkpatrick, based on the book by E.B. White. Produced by Jordan Kerner, the executive producers are Edgar Bronfman, Sr., Julia Pistor, Bernie Williams, and Paul Neesan.
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Roz Stevenson
Roz StevensonPR
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