REG has landed a role as one of the character voices in Tim Burton’s new animated movie “The Corpse Bride” which is being made in London. The new film is set to be released next year, according to Variety.

Made in the stop-motion style of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the story is based on a Russian folktale about a man who mistakenly marries a dead woman as his living wife pines for his return. The movie is set in a 19th-century European village.

According to Burton, the whole thing is a “cheery story in a similar vein” to Nightmare – clearly this is a man for whom cheerfulness is relative – and will have some musical numbers, although not to the same extent as the Christmas classic.

The film sees the return of many of Burton’s favourite actors. Johnny Depp will be Burton’s muse once more, as he combines lead voice duties in The Corpse Bride with his starring role in Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fellow Burton alumni Helena Bonham Carter, Albert Finney and Christopher Lee will take roles, as will Emily Watson and Joanna Lumley.

Danny Elfman will also be returning to work with Burton when he scores the film, his thirteenth collaboration with the director. We therefore declare today National Hooray Tim Burton’s Making A Film With All His Favourite People Day, so go celebrate!

Thanks to Sue W, Sherna Noah and Empire Online for the news.