Kevin Costner (File Photo)

    BEIJING, June 11 -- Oscar-winner Kevin Costner is to produce an Internetbased animated series about a band of 19th century explorers venturing around the globe, it was reported Friday.

    The 52-year-old director of "Dances With Wolves" will bankroll and lend his voice to the series, "The Explorers Club," which will originate on the Internet in 12 four-minute segments, movie industry journal Daily Variety reported. The actor-director hopes to build a substantial following from the online series before beginning work on a big-screen movie version.

    Costner is currently starring in the serial-killer thriller "Mr. Brooks" and will appear next year in "Swing Vote," about a man whose vote decides a presidential election. Born in Los Angeles, California, Costner is an actor and director known for playing upright heroes in big-budget epics. He gained enough clout to direct and star in his own movie. "Dances With Wolves" (1990) was a smash hit, winning the Best Picture Oscar and the Best Director Oscar for Costner.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)