"Christmas" comes early for Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey will star in a special effects-heavy adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," which Robert Zemeckis will direct for Walt Disney Pictures.

Carrey will play Scrooge, the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas future.

Production will incorporate performance capture, and blend live action and computer-generated imagery, building on techniques used for Zemeckis' "The Polar Express" and upcoming "Beowulf," as well as "Monster House," which he executive produced with Steven Spielberg.

Zemeckis wrote the screenplay for the film, which will be made for a 3-D stereoscopic release. A release date has not been set.

Several Web sites have reported that Bob Hoskins -- who worked with Zemeckis on "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" -- might play Mr. Fezziwig in the film, but Disney said no official dealmaking has begun with the British actor.

Carrey's upcoming projects include "Ripley's Believe It or Not," and providing the voice of Horton for the animated film "Horton Hears a Who." His more recent credits include "The Number 23" and "Fun With Dick and Jane."