'Watership Down' Cast Announced: James McAvoy, John Boyega & Nicholas Holt Join Netflix-BBC

In a very interesting combination of studios, Netflix and BBC are teaming up to bring Richard Adams' dystopian rabbit tale Watership Down to life once again, nearly 40 years after it was first adapted. Even more interestingly, the two powerhouses have cast some of the biggest stars in Hollywood to voice roles, including X-Men actors James McAvoy and Nicholas Hoult as well as Star Wars' John Boyega.

According to The Guardian, the three aforementioned stars are only part of the very impressive voice cast from the film: McAvoy and Hoult will respectively voice Hazel and Fiver, while Boyega will play the role of Bigwig. Other members of the cast include Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley as General Woundwort, Gemma Arterton as Clover, Olivia Colman as Strawberry and Anne-Marie Duff playing Hyzenthlay.

The series, animated through CGI, will be released as a four-part endeavor. It will follow the 1972 novel of the same name, which tells the story of a group of rabbits that must find a new home after their warren is destroyed. It was first adapted in 1978, in a film that, while still well regarded by critics, is also known for its graphic violence and gore.

Roy Aitken, who will executive produce the Netflix remake, assured The Telegraph that the violent images from the original would be toned down for a tale more suitable for children. The remake will also depart from the original in terms of inclusion, as it will give a "boost to its female characters."

The Watership Down remake, which io9 Gizmodo reports the BBC had been trying to get made for at least two years, will apparently cost millions of dollars. While details of the actual budget haven't been revealed, it is estimated it will be similar to the recent mini-series The Night Manager, which cost approximately $26 million to make.