ICE AGE 4 gains Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lopez and more

20th Century Fox’s Ice Age: Continental Drift has gained some cool new cast members. Jeremy Renner, Wanda Sykes, Keke Palmer and Jennifer Lopez, Aziz Ansari and hip hop star Drake are joining the voice cast of the film. Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck are set to return to the franchise.

The news was announced today on the Fox lot with potential promotional partners, licensees and retail partners. Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chair Tom Rothman and Fox Animation Studios president Vanessa Morrison led the meeting. Participants of the event were given an overview of the story by Romano and Queen Latifah.

So far the Ice Age franchise has grossed nearly $2 billion at the worldwide box office, making Fox and partner Blue Sky Studios strong animation competitors. The studios have both had huge success for the past two weeks with the Rio, which has grossed nearly $300 million. An Ice Age holiday special and mbile game is in the works, making the brand a year-round hit for Fox.

Renner will portray Gutt, "a self-styled master of the high seas." Lopez will play Shira, "a sabre toothed who melts the heart of Diego, also a sabre toothed tiger." Leary has recommitted to voice the role of Diego, while Romano returns as Manny and Queen Latifah as Ellie.

Continental Drift  hits theaters on July 13, 2012. I have only seen the first Ice Age film so I may have to watch the rest before this is released. The cast is solid and I am sure this will continue to bring in the bucks at the box-office.

What are your thoughts on this news?