Paul Rudd has signed to star as the title character in “My Idiot Brother,” a comedy being directed Jesse Peretz.
The project comes from some of the bigger producing names in the indie world: Anthony Bregman of Likely Story, whose credits include Nicole Holofcener’s “Please Give” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” and Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub of Big Beach, which produced Philip Seymour Hoffman’s directorial debut “Jack Goes Boating” and “Little Miss Sunshine.”
“Brother” sees Rudd playing an idealist dealing with his overbearing mother who crashes into the homes of his three ambitious sisters and, in succession, brings truth, happiness and a sunny disposition into their lives while also wreaking havoc.
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Production is slated to begin in July in New York with the parts of the sisters to be cast soon.
In keeping with the family affair, the script is written by Peretz’s sister, Evgenia Peretz, along with David Schisgall.
“Everyone on Earth who has a brother has an idiot brother,” Bregman said. “I come from a family of three brothers, so I know that better than anyone. And what could beat the prospect of working with Jesse and Paul, who are like brothers to each other to bring that message out into the world?”
Peretz, whose credits include helming episodes of Comedy Central’s “Important Things With Demetri Martin,” worked with Rudd in the 2001 indie comedy “The Chateau.”
Rudd, repped by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, next stars in Jay Roach’s July comedy “Dinner for Schmucks,” opposite Steve Carell. James Brooks’ “How Do You Know,” in which Rudd stars opposite Reese Witherspoon, is slated for a Dec. 17 opening.
Caroline Jaczko, Stefanie Azpiazu and Aleen Keshishian will executive produce “Brother,” for which UTA is handling domestic and international sales.
