MUMBAI: In his first, Hugh Grant will voice for the lead role in The Pirates! Band of Misfits, the 3D, animated film being produced by Aardman Animations for Sony Pictures Animation.

This is for the first time when Grant will be voicing for the bearded Pirate Captain - a boundlessly enthusiastic, terror of the High Seas.

The film will also have voiceovers by Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant and Ashley Jensen.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is being directed by Peter Lord and co-directed by Jeff Newitt. The film, which will be distributed by Columbia Pictures, will be released on 30 March next in North America.