"Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parson will star in NBC's animated Christmas special, "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas," as the lead character, Buddy, NBC announced on Friday, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Parsons, 41, has won four Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper, the theoretical physicist who shares an apartment with his colleague and best friend on CBS' "The Big Bang Theory." He has also been nominated in the past year for his role in HBO's "The Normal Heart," according to Headlines & Global News.

The hour-long animated special is based on the 2003 film "Elf," which starred Will Ferrell.

"Elf," directed by Jon Favreau, grossed $220 million worldwide. The movie also spawned the Broadway show "Elf: The Musical," which ran from 2011 to 2013.

The film retells the story of "Elf" and "Elf: The Musical" combined. "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" will take on the look of stop-motion animated Christmas specials of the past, with the crisp quality of a modern-day animated feature film, Broadway reported.

The animated feature tells the story of Buddy, played by Parsons, a human orphan raised by Santa Claus and the elves. He believes he is a Christmas elf despite his size.

After learning he has human parents, Buddy sets out on a journey to New York City to find his biological father, whom he never knew was alive. Santa Claus, played by Ed Asner - who reprises his role as Santa Claus from "Elf" - will narrate the story of the over-sized elf, according to Collider.

The cast of voice actors includes Mark Hamill, Ed Asner, Jay Leno, Matt Lauer, Rachel MacFarlane, Max Charles, Fred Armisen, Steve Higgins, Kate Micucci and Gilbert Gottfried.

The animated special will feature nine songs, including "Happy All The Time," "Nobody Cares About Santa Claus" and "A Christmas Song," noted IGN.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" is set to air on Dec. 16 on NBC at 8 p.m. EST.