T.J. Miller has been cast in the lead role for Sony's 'Emoji Movie: Express Yourself'.
T. J. Miller
The 35-year-old comedian-and-actor will provide the voice for lead character Gene, who was supposed to be a "meh" emoji like his parents in the story.
However, optimistic Gene has a problem that causes him to have multiple expressions outside of his control, but he just wants to be like his mother and father.
Along with the casting announcement Sony also released Miller's joke audition tape, which features him attempting to ape the emoji expressions only to be told it's an animated feature and his efforts were in vain.
Miller is best known for his turn in the HBO comedy 'Silicon Valley', but he has also starred in several big films including 'Transformers: Age of Extinction' and 'Deadpool'.
He is currently shooting Steven Spielberg's big screen adaptation of 'Ready Player One,' in which he plays online troll i-R0k, and his past voice credits include 'How to Train Your Dragon,' 'Big Hero 6' and 'High School USA.'
No other cast members have been announced yet.
Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, 'Emoji Movie: Express Yourself' will be released on August 11, 2017 by Columbia Pictures.