At a press conference Wednesday at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Electronic Arts announced the acting cast members for the anticipated strategy sequel Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.

The cast of Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 follows (in alphabetical order by last name): Gemma Atkinson (the UK’s Hollyoaks), Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Hunt for Red October), Andrew Divoff (LOST), Kelly Hu (X2, The Scorpion King), Jenny McCarthy (Scream 3, former Playboy Playmate of the Year), Ivana Milicevic (Casino Royale), Jonathan Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean), J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man, Juno), Autumn Reeser (The OC), Peter Stormare (Prison Break, Armageddon), George Takei (Star Trek, Heroes), and two of the most recognizable names in competitive mixed martial arts Randy “The Natural” Couture (former UFC Heavyweight champion) and Gina “Conviction” Carano (Undefeated Elite XC fighter, American Gladiators).

“This is by far the most exciting cast we have in over 13 years of shooting live-action movies for Command & Conquer,” said Chris Corry, executive producer at EA’s Los Angeles studio.  “The caliber of the performances we received, both individually and collectively, have really raised the storytelling bar for the franchise.  We are really excited that we will be delivering such a high quality production that is on par with movies and television shows.”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came in to work on a video game,” said Jenny McCarthy from the set of Command & Conquer Red Alert 3, while playing Tanya, Allied commando and the most beloved heroine in the history of the Command & Conquer universe.  “What I realized is Red Alert 3 is not just a video game, it’s absolutely an interactive movie.  This is where the people at home get to move the story forward, and where seeing the plot thicken is a reward for a job well done.  And that’s really cool.”

“I think video games are one of the new frontiers for actors and using live action is just another way to connect more easily to the gamer rather than CG or animation techniques,” said J.K. Simmons from the set of the game, who is playing the anti-Communist U.S. President Howard T. Ackerman.  “To be in a groundbreaking game like Red Alert 3 where we are using full on shooting of live actors and to be with Jonathan Pryce, Tim Curry and Peter Stormare, it was a great opportunity for a character actor like me to have some fun.”

EA is also offering die hard fans of the series a “Premier Edition,” a limited edition copy of hte game including a bonus DVD with extra video content, interviews and behind the scenes shots as well as extra content for the game like maps and tips and a beta key for a future C&C title.

Special features in the “Premier Edition” include:

• Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 – One of the most beloved RTS games of all time!
• From Fighter to Assassin – A featurette on EliteXC superstar, Gina Carano.
• Premier Edition Sneak Peek – Exclusive previews of Raising of the Iron Curtain, From Pens to Pixels, Command School, and BattleCast Primetime
• Red Alert Retrospective – A look back at Command & Conquer^TM Red Alert^TM, Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 and Command & Conquer^TM: Yuri’s Revenge^TM
• Exclusive multiplayer/skirmish map for Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 when the game ships
• Exclusive Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 desktop wallpapers

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 ships in the fall for PC and Xbox 360.  For more, check out the beta for the game at http://www.ea.com/redalert/beta.jsp.