Elizabeth Perkins Leaving "WEEDS" To Hit The Big Screen Again.

'Weeds' Emmy nominee Elizabeth Perkins is leaving her drug-dealing former neighbors and cohorts behind to join the cast of a big-screen comedy.

Perkins, who plays crabby, plotting neighbor Celia Hodes on the Showtime series, will not be in the cast when the show returns for its sixth season on Aug. 16. Instead, she'll be playing James Marsden's mom in the upcoming live-action/CG-animated flick 'I Hop.'

The movie will be directed by 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' helmer Tim Hill, and revolves around Fred, an unemployed slacker (Marsden) who accidentally harms the Easter Bunny's son and has to take care of the poor little bunny while he recovers. Russell Brand provides the voice of Bunny Sr., while Perkins plays Marsden's mom, who's frustrated by her son's shenanigans.

Perkins, who has received three Emmy nods and two Golden Globe nominations for her role on 'Weeds,' makes her return to the big screen with 'I Hop.' She hasn't starred in a movie since a string of projects in 2005 (the year she began her stint on 'Weeds'), including 'Must Love Dogs.' Some Of Perkins early big screen hits include: Big (1988) co-staring Tom Hanks, He Said, She Said co-staring Kevin Bacon (1991) & The Flintstones (1994) co-staring John Goodman.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Perkins is also developing a sitcom as a starring vehicle for herself. In a 2009 interview with AOL TV, Perkins said she and 'Weeds' co-star Mary-Louise Parker have talked about starring together in an American remake of the hit Britcom 'Absolutely Fabulous.'

As for how 'Weeds' will deal with the actress' departure, that could be a challenge, since her Celia was about to embark on a big, and almost certainly hilarious, storyline. In the season 5 finale, Celia was living in a storage locker and had decided to emulate her pal Nancy (Parker) by starting her own drug-dealing team with ex-hubby Dean (Andy Milder), frenemy Doug (Kevin Nealon) and daughter Isabelle (Allie Grant).

I guess we’ll have to see when season 6 starts this summer. I’m sooo hyped. I can’t wait!!!