Keaton to play Ken in 'Toy Story 3'

Michael Keaton is set to voice Barbie’s love interest Ken in the long-awaited third 'Toy Story' installment after impressing Disney bosses with his voice work on ‘Cars’

Director Lee Unkrich said: "Barbie is back, and this time she plays a bigger role. So naturally we had to bring in her companion Ken this time.

"And we can announce that he's voiced by Michael Keaton. He worked with us on ‘Cars’, where he voiced the bad guy, and he was a blast to work with so we invited him back as Ken."

Keaton's role will also reportedly include a specially-filmed extra for the DVD release, featuring Ken giving an interview where he gets upset at accusations that Barbie is a bigger star.

'Toy Story 3' is scheduled for release in summer 2010.