Hop: CG-animated comedy-adventure

MANILA, Philippines - From the makers of the blockbuster Despicable Me comes a new comedy that blends state-of-the-art CG animation with live action: Hop. The follow-up to Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide hit tells the story of E.B. (voiced by Russell brand of Despicable Me and Get Him to the Greek), the teenage son of the Easter Bunny.

Off the coast of South America, on the island of Rapa Nui fondly known as Easter Island, under the giant stone heads resides the most magnificent candy factory. Three hundred and sixty five days a year, the Easter Bunny reigns over a team of bunnies and chicks who prepare the candy-filled baskets that are delivered to children around the world on Easter morning.

On the eve of being ordained as his father’s successor, E.B. takes off for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. Once there, he encounters Fred (James Marsden of X-Men, Enchanted), recently fired and determined to pull his life together. After being lovingly kicked out of his parents’ home, he accidentally runs into E.B. Feigning injury and shocking Fred with his ability to talk, E.B. manipulates Fred into providing him shelter.

Back on Easter Island, the Easter Bunny’s second in command, an oversized chick named Carlos, seizes E.B.’s disappearance as an opportunity to plot a coup.  Ultimately, Fred and E.B. are Easter’s only hope and they find themselves returning to Easter Island, locked in an epic battle to save the beloved holiday. 

Marsden and Brand are joined by an all-star comedic cast that includes Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory), Hugh Laurie (House, M.D.), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Gary Cole (Talladega Nights), Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds) and Chelsea Handler (Chelsea Lately).

The film is helmed by Tim Hill, director of the blockbuster Alvin and the Chipmunks, and produced by Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me, Ice Age, Robots, Ice Age: The Meltdown, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!), founder of Illumination Entertainment, and Michele Imperato Stabile (Alvin and the Chipmunks). Hop is from a story by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio and a United International Pictures release through Solar Entertainment Corp. Showing in theaters nationwide.