Ryan Reynolds is to cameo as the Son of God in an upcoming episode of Family Guy, The Digital Spy reported.

The Green Lantern star will play what has been described as the "precursor to Jesus" in season 11's Christmas episode.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, executive producer Mark Hentemann said that Reynolds's character is "God's previous attempt at an immaculate conception - his first son that didn't quite work out".

Reynolds has already guest-starred on Family Guy, appearing as himself last season. He also has a cameo in show creator Seth MacFarlane's recent big-screen hit Ted.

Family Guy season 11 starts September 30 on Fox and will also feature Johnny Depp in a cameo as his character Edward Scissorhands.