Ricky Gervais' series of children's books, Flanimals, is being lined up for a big-screen adaptation

Ricky Gervais' series of children's books, Flanimals, is being lined up for a big-screen adaptation.

The collection of wonderfully gruesome creatures will be brought to life in an all-new 3D animated adventure from Universal-based Illumination Entertainment.

Comedian Gervais will lend his voice to the main character Puddy - a cowardly Puddloflaj - and true-to-form he is reportedly keen to enlist the vocal talents of A-list stars Danny DeVito and Samuel L Jackson.

Commenting on playing a rotund, perspiring purple creature on a mission to change the world, Gervais told Variety: "It will be great to play a short, fat, sweaty loser for a change. A real stretch."

Gervais has recently finished directing and starring in The Invention of Lying, a comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, also featuring Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.

The script for Flanimals will be penned by Simpsons scribbler Matt Selman and the studio founder Chris Meledandri (Ice Age) will produce with Nightmare Street's Courtney Pledger.