Casting is almost finalized for The Three Stooges, a film using the classic comedic trio to be made by the Farrelly Brothers and produced by MGM. So far, Sean Penn and Jim Carrey are signed on to the project. Penn will play Larry, and Carrey is in negotiations to play Curly. The actor has already made plans to gain forty pounds for the role, which will put his weight very close to that of the original Jerome "Curly" Howard.

Benicio Del Toro is targeted by the studio to play the role of Moe.

According to Variety, the film is not a biopic, but rather a "comedy built around the antics of the three characters that [Moe, Larry, and Curley] played in the Columbia Pictures shorts. It is unclear whether this will be some sort of modern adaptation or a story that will take place in the 30's and 40's.

The project is set to start filming in early fall of 2009, with the studio shooting for a release in 2010. The Farrelly Brothers also wrote the script, and will be producing with Bradley Thomas and Charlie Wessler.

Yes, someone is going to try to make a movie with new Stooges. No, you're not being a knucklehead.

Source: Variety