Ricky Gervais has signed on to star in the live-action/animatronic feature adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame children's book The Wind in the Willows.  The actor/comedian responsible for such gems as The Office and Extras will voice the story's main protagonist, Mole.  Back in June, we reported that Ray Griggs (Super Capers) would direct and Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu) would adapt the 1908 classic with Peter Jackson's visual effects company Weta Workshop handling the film's special effects.Per Variety, Marsilii's script will see Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad "join forces to save their land from a sinister plot that threatens to destroy the uneasy truce between the peaceful animals of the Willows and what remains of Mankind."  To check out the teaser trailer dropped by Griggs and Co. at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, hit the jump.  The Wind in the Willows is currently aiming for a 2012 release.Here's the teaser trailer:the_wind_in_the_willows_drawing_book_coverHere's a brief synopsis of the book [via Amazon]:

“[Mole] thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before–this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again.”

Such is the cautious, agreeable Mole’s first introduction to the river and the Life Adventurous. Emerging from his home at Mole End one spring, his whole world changes when he hooks up with the good-natured, boat-loving Water Rat, the boastful Toad of Toad Hall, the society- hating Badger who lives in the frightening Wild Wood, and countless other mostly well-meaning creatures. Michael Hague’s exquisitely detailed, breathtaking color illustrations on almost every generous spread–along with Kenneth Grahame’s elegant, delightfully old-fashioned characterizations of the animals–make this book a wonderful read-aloud.