It's been all but confirmed for months, but now it's officially official: Sean Penn is set to play Larry in the Farrelly Brothers' THE THREE STOOGES. Time to pull that CARLITO'S WAY fright wig out of storage.
As for who might be joining him in this slapstick melee, the Hollywood Reporter claims that Benicio Del Toro is still the "rumored" frontrunner for Moe (perfect casting), while Jim Carrey has emerged as the favorite for Curly. And this isn't rumor: he's currently in negotiations, and is evidently prepared to gain forty pounds to do the big guy justice. While I'd never doubt Carrey's talents as a mimic, I can't help but wonder... is forty pounds enough?
The Farrellys have set up the film at MGM, and are hoping to begin production this fall in order to hit a 2010 release date. According to the Reporter, the script is no longer a series of four loosely connected vignettes, but a complete, "streamlined" narrative. It also begins with an orphanage sequence that will require massive CG de-aging for the three stars. Generally, I think CG is the death of comedy, but the Farrellys have been at this game for a long time, so I'll not question their comedic instincts (even though I thought they missed with their remake of THE HEARTBREAK KID).
What do you guys think? I'm all for Penn and Del Toro slapping the shit out of each other, but Carrey as Curly? Show me.
