In a Farrelly Brothers comedy, of course! According to the Hollywood Reporter, the funnyman is set to star in Hall Pass, a story that centers on a married couple who’ve hit a lackluster patch. Instead of spicing up their own sex lives, though, the wife decides to give her husband a “hall pass” to engage in extramarital activities. That can’t lead to anything good. The Farrellys need to knock this one out of the park, though, since they’ve hit a rough patch themselves. Their last comedy, the 2007 The Heartbreak Kid, didn’t do so hot.
There’s also their long-gestating Three Stooges project at MGM, which could be back in business with news that Sean Penn has re-attached himself to play Larry, says the Reporter. The Boston Herald quoted Bobby Farrelly on Tuesday as saying, “We got him back,” after Penn had dropped the project to work on family issues a year ago or so. We now know that didn’t work out so well for Penn (he and his estranged wife Robin Wright are divorcing), so maybe he’s ready to laugh a little.
In other movie news: Sam Mendes is reportedly in talks to helm the next James Bond flick, or Bond 23, as its called. Sam Mendes? Seriously? The same guy who directed American Beauty, Revolutionary Road and Away We Go? Married to Kate Winslet, that Sam Mendes? Boy, the Bond producers are really enticing a quality bunch of directors with their latest Bond franchise. The last one, Quantum of Solace, was directed by Finding Neverland‘s Marc Forester. Maybe it has something to do with Daniel Craig’s very intense, very smart James Bond. That would be my guess. Production is being fast-tracked and could begin as early as June with an eye toward a 2011 release, according to the Reporter. Can’t wait!