In tubby voice casting news, Exodus Film Group announced today that Golden Globe-winning actor John Goodman has been inked to voice Paul Bunyan in the upcoming CG-animated family adventure flick Bunyan & Babe. “John is dream casting for us,” says Max Howard, Exodus President and the project’s executive producer. “He epitomizes the true American spirit of Paul Bunyan.”

Set in modern times, the adaptation of the popular legend was penned by Michael Nickles and Julia Wall, and tells the story of wide-striding Bunyan’s attempts — with the help of his two adventurous kids — to rescue Babe the Blue Ox (voiced by comedian Eddie Griffin) from the evil clutches of a demented circus owner. Jim Rygiel, the Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor on the Lord of the Rings films, as well as the recent smash hit Night at the Museum, will make his directorial debut with the movie.