(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Gore Verbinski believes that Bill Nighy can do anything.

The American film director is best known for his work on the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films and his latest venture was directing new CGI comedy Rango.

British actor Bill, 61, voices Rattlesnake Jake in the film - which tells the tale of a chameleon that ends up protecting a town plagued by bandits and Gore was overwhelmed by Bills vocal abilities.

Bill was second choice, he joked to Cover Media, before praising the stars versatility. Bill is just a guy who Ive worked with before who can do anything, I honestly believe that. You can throw anything at him. He sort of falls into that, if you have to take five actors to an island and you had to do seven genres and use the same five actors, he can really transform himself.

Gore respects the way Bill understands how his vocal chords work. He wasnt worried when the British star had to put on a southern American accent for Rango.

Hes very aware of the sound of his voice, hes very much carving the sonic landscape with his voice. So I called him up on the phone, talked to him a bit. I think its easier for a Brit to do a southern accent than it is a straight Californian accent, he added.

Gore explained that he follows a very specific procedure when casting actors in parts. He chose actress Isla Fisher for the role of Beans because she was able to depict the awkwardness of the character, and he cast Abigail Breslin, 14, in the role of Priscilla, because she could deliver her lines deadpan.

Isla is really brave and Beans needed to be sort of... we wanted to celebrate the nice awkward moments and I knew she would be able to boldly go there, he explained.

Abigail is so endearing that to give her this character who is constantly asking, Can I have your boots when youre dead? A really dry delivery of morbid questions, it just seemed like a really great mix.

Rango is released in the UK on March 4. (C) Cover Media