Lawrence Fishburne (Matrix, Akeelah and the Bee) has reportedly been hired as the voice of the Silver Surfer in 20th Century Fox’s upcoming big-budget Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Actors Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis will reprise their roles for the adaptation of the long-running Marvel Comics series. The character of the Silver Surfer, a herald to cosmic bad-guy Galactus, is played by Doug Jones. Jones provided performance and movement references for New Zealand f/x house Weta Digital, which produced visual effects for the movie. Surfer premieres June 12 in London and opens worldwide June 15. Fishburne’s distinctive basso voice is heard as the narrator in current the CGI-animated film TMNT.

Also, in toon adaptation casting news, Matthew Fox (Jack on Lost) is in final negotiations to play Racer X in Larry and Andy Wachowski’s live-action film version of Speed Racer. Fans will remember Racer X as the hero’s mysterious, masked rival. Emile Hersch is set to play Speed, as are Christina Ricci (Speed’s girlfriend, Trixie), John Goodman, who will play Speed’s father, Pops, and Susan Sarandon, who’s been cast as Pops’ wife. Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver are planning a summer 2008 release for the film.