Tom Cruise is set to voice a villain in new animated movie 'Shrek Goes Fourth'.

The 'Tropic Thunder' star - who has not yet lent his voice to a cartoon during his 20-year career - has reportedly been approached to appear in the 2010 movie, the fourth instalment in the Disney franchise.

A reporter for industry website cinemablend.com said: "I got an email from one of our regular sources at DreamWorks, whispering in my ear to let you know that Tom Cruise is being considered to voice one of the villains in 'Shrek Goes Fourth'.

"Very little is actually known about 'Shrek Goes Fourth', other than that it's supposed to reveal Shrek's origins and explain how he got to the swamp.

Does that make it a prequel? I hope not. Where would Tom Cruise's villain character fit in, if indeed this actually happens?"

A movie insider added: "Tom has been looking for different roles recently and this is an ideal choice for him."

The 46-year-old actor was reportedly inspired to voice a character in the film by Suri, his two-year-old daughter with wife Katie Holmes.

Suri is a huge fan of Disney films and is often seen browsing goods with her mom in the Disney Store. She also went to see the Broadway production of Disney film 'The Little Mermaid' with Katie recently. A source said: "Tom wants to do a film that his kids can watch. A lot of his films are very adult - whether in theme or in humour - and he wants to something a bit more lightweight for a change. Suri is a massive fan of all things Disney, and Tom things she would be really tickled if his voice was used for the baddie in the film."

Tom also has two adopted children, 15-year-old Isabella and 13-year-old Connor, with ex-wife Nicole Kidman. (c) BANG