Adam McKay normally only directs movie starring his professional partner, Will Ferrell, but now it seems he’s thinking of leaving Will behind for a bit, as he’s in negotiations to direct a remake of Uptown Saturday Night. David Dobkin was once attached to the project, but is no longer involved.
Last March, Warner Bros. was eyeing Will Smith and Denzel Washington to star. No deals have been made either actor yet, but Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is still hoping to land both actors (and as Will Smith’s production company is involved, there’s a good chance he’ll be onboard). The original Uptown Saturday Night starred Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier as two friends who give up their wallets to thieves. They realise that one of the wallets contains a winning lottery ticket, and go on a quest to retrieve it.
If he signs on, McKay wants to start shooting the remake after he wraps on Anchorman 2, which will likely start shooting in the first quarter of 2013.