Azaria takes on ancient roles

By Leslie Simmons

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Hank Azaria will play an Eqyptian pharaoh in Ben Stiller's "Night at the Museum" sequel.

"Night at the Museum 2: Escape from the Smithsonian," also stars Amy Adams. Shawn Levy will direct the Fox project.

Azaria has also joined the cast of Harold Ramis' biblical comedy "Year One," playing Abraham. The Columbia Pictures film stars Jack Black and Michael Cera.

Azaria will conclude his Broadway run in "The Farnsworth Invention" on March 2. He also appeared on Broadway in "Monty Python's Spamalot," for which he was nominated in 2005 for a Tony Award for best leading role in a musical.

He voices several characters for "The Simpsons," including bartender Moe Szyslak and Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu. His film credits include "The Simpsons Movie," "Along Came Polly" and "The Birdcage."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter