2009’s breakout star Zach Galifianakis is now reportedly in talks to lead the Warner Bros. remake of Arthur Lubin’s 1964 film “The Incredible Mr. Limpet,” a role that the studio was previously chasing none other than Johnny Depp for.
The original live action-animation hybrid follows the story of a shy bookkeeper who falls into the ocean, turns into a fish, get commissioned by the U.S. Navy and helps in their naval efforts against the Nazi contingent in the Battle of the Atlantic — also finding true love in the process after leaving behind his and wife ashore. We presume the story will be updated somewhat.
The ’64 version saw award-winning comedic actor Don Knotts portray lead Henry Limpet with the subsequent remake having already seen iterations with names like Robin Williams, Jim Carrey and Depp attached. With Galifianiakis now in talks, it seems like studios are ready to give the sideplayer toplining gigs, even if it’s just something animation-dominated for now. To direct the the film, Warner Bros. has brought on Kevin Lima who helmed the popular hybrid fantasy-musical “Enchanted.”
‘Mr. Limpet’ was originally eying a 2010 shoot though it’s not known where the project lies in the studio priorities now. Galifianakis fans will have no shortage of the actor/comedian with three films arriving in the next six months including Jay Roach’s “Dinner For Schmucks” and two highly anticipated flicks in Todd Phillips’ “Due Date” and Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s “It’s Kind Of A Funny Story.”