Idris Elba, JK Simmons and Tommy Chong to lend their voices to Disney's Zootropolis

Disney has added Idris Elba, JK Simmons and Tommy Chong to its impressive (and long) cast list for forthcoming film Zootropolis (known as Zootopia outside of the UK). The trio join the likes of Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin in the studio's animated adventure.

Back in May, Disney announced it had cast Horrible Bosses star Bateman and Once Upon A Time's Goodwin in the upcoming animal-based movie... and then did not really reveal much else. Despite revealing the lead actors and basic knowledge of the plot, little else was known about the film. That was until 25 October, when the studio confirmed more details about the project.

Beasts Of No Nation star Elba has come aboard to lend his voice to the project, set to play government-worker bull Chief Bogo, while Simmons has been cast as a lion, Mayor Leodore Lionheart. It has also been reported that Chong (of the Cheech & Chong variety) will voice hippy yak Yax.

The film centres on rabbit police officer Judy Hopps (Goodwin) who learns the hard way that being the first bunny in the precinct alongside her big and tough animal colleagues is not as fun as she first imagined. Determined to prove herself, Hopps jumps at the chance to solve one particularly hard case, even if that does mean she has to partner up with smooth-talking scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (Bateman).

Other already confirmed cast members include Alan Tudyk (Suburgatory) and Octavia Spencer (The Help), who will be voicing Duke Weaselton and Mrs Otterton respectively, the former a small-time crime-committing weasel and the latter a desperate otter who turns to Hopps for help in getting to the bottom of her husband's disappearance. Shakira, Don Lake and Bonnie Hunt will also feature.

As if the cast did not sound formidable enough, Tangled director Byron Howard and Wreck-It Ralph's Rich Moore have signed on to helm the picture, which already suggests the movie is going to be a huge success. But if you needed any more convincing, it is also being produced by Clark Spencer, best known for his work on titles such as Lilo & Stitch, Bolt and Winnie The Pooh.

The film is scheduled to reach US cinemas on 4 March 2016 and UK screens a little later, on 25 March.