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Considering how much time Stephen Colbert spends trying to protect democracy from the sinister forces of democracy, you wouldn't think he'd have time to do much else.

Luckily, the self-proclaimed defender of liberty is also good at multi-tasking, which is how The Hollywood Reporter is able to report today that the star of "The Colbert Report" has just signed on to provide one of the voices in the upcoming animated feature "Mr. Peabody & Sherman."

The WABAC Machine, in the hands of Colbert? America really is in trouble good hands now.

A quick refresher on "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" for those of you who missed out on pop culture of the late 1950s: One of the most enduring segments of the classic cartoon "The Bullwinkle Show," "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" is about a genius dog (that's Mr. Peabody) who travels through time with his pet boy (Sherman, naturally) using the WABAC Machine. Yes, that's where the phrase "wayback machine" comes from.

And now the duo, which is going to be voiced by Ty Burrell and Max Charles, has a nemesis, as Colbert is set to play their arch-rival, Paul Peterson. And that's not all, as Colbert will be joined by veteran actress Allison Janne (who will play both wife Paula), Ariel Winter (who will voice their daughter Penny), Ellie Kemper and Stephen Tobolowski.

"These incredible casting additions have elevated 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman' to a new level of excitement and we are truly fortunate to work with so many talented actors," DreamWorks animation honcho Bill Damaschke said. "I'm certain that their collective passion and enthusiasm for the film will bring the classic characters to new life and thrill audiences of all ages when we open in November of next year."

Now that gets the official Colbert seal of approval. Keep on making great movies, America!

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Holy smoke!  It looks like everybody's favorite talking dog and his boy companion are back in action.

The "Rocky and Bullwinkle" characters are coming to the big screen in "Mr. Peabody & Sherman," minus one anthropomorphic moose and squirrel duo, but packing some serious star power.

Cinema Blend reports that the Dreamworks Animation project is moving forward after a stall, having found its lead in "Modern Family" star Ty Burrell, who will replace Robert Downey Jr. as the bespectacled pooch. Sherman, Mr. Peabody's adopted human, will be voiced by 8-year-old Max Charles, who has had minor roles on "Community" and "True Blood," and will star as a young Peter Parker in the soon-to-be-released "The Amazing Spider-Man."

While the characters are best known for their short segments in between larger portions of "Rocky and Bullwinkle," this movie will have them flying solo as they scour the universe for their missing WABAC machine before it gets into the wrong hands.

The project will come together under the watchful eye of "The Lion King" director Rob Minkoff, with "Down Periscope" scribe Andrew Kurtzman co-writing with "Stuart Little" co-producer Jason Clark, who will write and produce.

"Mr. Peabody & Sherman" hits theaters in 2014.