It seems that The Office co-creator, Stephen Merchant, has decided that if Ricky Gervais can go off and do things by himself, why can’t he? Although he’s previously said he was more comfortable behind the camera, he’s recently been trying out a bit more acting, for example appearing in the recent Dwayne Johnson comedy, Tooth Fairy.
THR reports that now that his latest writing/directing collaboration with Gervais, Cemetary Junction, is complete, Merchant has signed up for a supporting role in the Farelly Brothers’ new comedy, Hall Pass, which starts shooting in Atlanta tomorrow. SNL and Curb Your Enthusiam alum, J.B. Smoove, has also joined the cast.
The film itself is about two married couples who get bored and so the wives decide to give the husbands a ‘hall pass’, allowing them a free weekend of debaucherous activity. While the men head off to find illicit affairs, things get complicated when they realise their spouses are also free to do whatever they want. Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis will play the main men, while Merchant and Smoove will be their friends, who accompany them as they cut loose and attempt to cash in their tickets.