`HEDGE'-ING HIS BETS NO WINE THIS TIME FOR THOMAS HADEN CHURCH.

Byline: - Bob Strauss

Get nominated for an Oscar, become a cartoon character.

That's how things are in Hollywood today. At least for Thomas Haden Church.

The actor isn't complaining. He enjoyed voicing Dwayne (aka The Verminator), the scorched-earth exterminator out to eradicate the lovable woodland creatures of the computer- animated ``Over the Hedge'' (May 19).

``It's a fairly stoic process because you're locked in a glass booth and people are honking at you over your headset,'' recounts Church, who was last seen debauching his way through Santa Inez wineries in ``Sideways.'' ``But the directors really made it a lot of fun.''

Of course, the acclaimed actor brought nuance to the digital nemesis.

``He's kind of a blue-collar intellectual - in his own estimation - and officiously pompous about his skill level.''

Whatever. Church obviously had such a good time cartooning around that he did voice work again for the animated ``Charlotte's Web,'' coming out later this year. And he's currently playing comic book hero Spider-Man's foe The Sandman for next summer's entry in that series.

``My role in `Spider-Man' is very physical, so that still requires body acting,'' Church explains. ``Voice work is a unique challenge because you're attaching your voice to a character that's already been created.''

And to anyone who might think an awards contender has no business doing cartoon work, remember, they never know where their next job will come from.

``It's flattering that they ask!'' Church enthuses.

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Photo:

(color) `Over the Hedge'

May 19