Walken Joins Huggable Bears

April 4 -- Christopher Walken doesn't seem to be the warm and fuzzy type, but the intimidating thespian is planning to hang with a bunch of huggable Hicksville bears for his next project.

Walken, whose ferocious, pop-eyed glare has illuminated dozens of villainous characters, will play the human lead in The Country Bears, a film version of the Walt Disney Co.'s popular theme-park attraction at Country Bear Hall.

(Mr. Showbiz is owned by the Walt Disney Co.)

Don't go thinking Walken has gone soft, though; the veteran actor will portray a hardhearted banker trying to demolish the Country Bears' precious performance venue, according to Variety. Eight animatronic bears will likely be outfitted with hayseed hats and overalls for the film, which is said to feature several celeb musicians and the voice of Haley Joel Osment.

"Christopher as a heavy is a natural, but what he really brings to the project is a great sense of humor," Hastings told Daily Variety. And, we hope, the ability to slap some sense into those doofy bears.

Walken next appears in America's Sweethearts, a comedy that also features Julia Roberts, John Cusack, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.