The Farrelly brothers to revive the Three Stooges

Undeterred by the chilly reception of their last attempt to revive a classic comedic property, the Farrelly brothers have finalized a deal with MGM to bring the Three Stooges back to theaters. The new movie, long in the brothers’ eyes, already has a script and looks to be ready for a Thanksgiving 2009 release.

The Farrellys, directors of There’s Something About Mary, have said the new film will not technically be a remake but a series of contemporary sketches that explore the old-school trio’s origins. Names like Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson have been shopped around since the project was first conceived, but the brothers have said that a nationwide search will find a new Curly.

The creators of some of the most ubiquitous comedies of the ’90s, the Farrellys have struggled over the past decade to make the same impact, especially in the wake of new genre royalty like Judd Apatow. Lukewarm titles like Fever Pitch and Stuck on You have dominated their recent oeuvre, though their films have largely remained successful in the long run.

The new Stooges film will mark the second consecutive movie (after The Heartbreak Kid)  the Farrellys adapted from existing material.

Related links:
ThreeStooges.com
MGM.com
EW PopWatch: Who should the Farrellys cast?

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