Madonna will head the voice cast of the big - budget computer - animated "Arthur," based on a series of children's books written by French filmmaker Luc Besson, who will direct the project, sources said Thursday.
The 80 million English - language project, scheduled for a 2006 release, follows 10 - year - old Arthur who, in a bid to save his grandfather's house from developers, goes in search of treasure hidden in the land of the Minimoys, a tiny people living in harmony with nature.
Madonna is understood to be voicing the part of Princess Selenia, a character who travels with Arthur to a mysterious forbidden city where an evil being dwells.
'The recording is being done at the moment,' a production source said. Besson's Europa production banner also is in the process of casting a major male star. The film will include some live - action sequences.
"Arthur" will be the first film directed by Besson since "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc" five years ago. Besson also is working on a parallel live - action project, which he has written but which remains a closely guarded secret.

Billboard.com also reports that CAA (who represent Madonna) have also confirmed this deal.