Universal obtains Gervais’ This Side of the Truth

This Side of the Truth, Ricky Gervais’ feature film debut, has been acquired by Universal Pictures International, Variety reports. Warner Brothers already has the rights to stateside distribution.

The comedy will be co-directed by Matthew Robinson, and is slated to begin filming in Boston on April 14. Both Robinson and Gervais wrote the script.

Gervais, who created The Office (new episode of the U.S. version tonight!), has written children’s books and is hilarious in general, will star in the movie. Cinematical reports that the plot (which has apparently changed substantially since the film was first announced), follows Gervais as a history professor who somehow "invents" deception, then uses it to spruce up class lectures and get women. Potentially, capers ensue.

Once upon a time when Jennifer Garner was the formidable Sidney Bristow, Gervais played a cameo role as a freelance bomb maker. This time Garner is set to co-star, as is Louis C.K. and Rob Lowe. Christopher Guest, Tina Fey, John Hodgman, Jeffrey Tambor and Jonah Hill will also appear. Additionally, Gervais mentions on his blog the possibility of Patrick Stewart narrating, though it's hard, sometimes, to tell when he’s joking.