Keaton, Benson in Toy Story 3

Posted by Dominic von Riedemann Aug 25, 2008

(Once again, I'm using this blog to post about news items that don't contain enough info for a full article)

Disney/Pixar has cast veteran actors Michael Keaton and Jodi Benson in the hotly anticipated film Toy Story 3, according to film site IESB. Keaton will voice the role of classic doll Ken, playing opposite Benson who voices Barbie

In addition to his star-making roles in Tim Burton films such as 1989's Batman and 1988's Beetlejuice, Keaton voiced the role of arrogant race car Chick "Thunder" Hicks in 2006's Cars. Benson is best known for voicing the role of Ariel in the 1989 Disney animated feature, The Little Mermaid, as well as voicing Tour Guide Barbie and Barbie on Backpack in 1999's Toy Story 2.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the new movie will follow what occurs after “Woody the cowboy and his toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, leaves for college.”

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have already confirmed their involvement in the new flick, which will be directed by Toy Story 2 co-director Lee Unkrich. Don Rickles, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger (natch), Ned Beatty and Estelle Harris also return for the new flick.

Toy Story 3 comes to theatres on June 18, 2010.