Minchin cast as Judas in "Tacky" Jesus Christ Superstar

Popular UK comedy news portal Chortle are reporting that Australian-British comedian Tim Minchin will play Judas in a new arena-tour production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar.

Opening at the end of the year, the Australian will join Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger in her role as Mary Magdalene, with Jesus being cast via a TV talent show competition.

The TV show has already come under fire due to product placement - a move which Rice has labelled "tacky" and "tasteless".

Regardless of the TV series, however, the role is no doubt a huge boost for Minchin.

The news comes less than a month after Matilda: The Musical, which Minchin wrote the music and lyrics for, picked up seven wins at the Lawrence Olivier Awards, Britain's highest honour in theatre. It appears Minchin really is pursuing the serious thing.

But perhaps not exclusively, as it has also been announced that the fire-haired funnyman is set to join the cast of Californication, the popular Showtime TV series which stars David Duchovny as a sex-crazed author. Minchin will play "coked-up rock star" Atticus French in the sixth season, which will premiere in 2013.

It's all coming up Minchin, it seems.