For a brief time in the 70s, it seemed the idea of a movie that was essentially a selection of comedy sketches might become popular. However while Kentucky Fried Movie and The Groove Tube found success, rather like most attempts at portmanteau filmmaking, the novelty quickly wore off and we’ve seen few in the last couple of decades.
However, that’s not going to stop Peter Farrelly (one half of the infmous Farelly Brothers) from having a go, as Variety reports that he’s currently putting together a comedy sketch movie that will feature input from all sorts of famous actors and directors. Even though Farelly himself is currently shooting Hall Pass with Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis, the structure of the movie means that some of it is already filmed and production will not continue through late May, with a whole host of stars showing up for one or more of the two dozen planned comedy shorts.
Directors including Brett Ratner, Elizabeth Banks, Bob Odenkirk and Griffin Dunne have already shot segments for the film, but the film will eventually include the efforts of 17 different filmmakers. However what’s probably most impressive is the list of actors they’ve got to agree to appear, probably because each section only takes a short time to make, so it’s easier for stars to fit into their schedule. Those who’ll appear include Gerard Bitler, Kieran Culkin, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Knoxville, Christopher Mitntz-Plasses, Chloe Moretz, Lieve Schreiber, Seann William Scott, Tony Shalhoub, Emma Stone, Matt Walksh, Patrick Warbuton, Naoni Watts and Kate Winslet.
Relativity Media has now signed on to co-finance and help find distirbution for the film, although with a cast like that, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get it into cinemas. However the problem with sketch comedy movies that they’re generally very uneven, but let’s hope that with the guiding hand of Farelly, this one works.