Segal
On the heels of an impressive opening for "50 First Dates," comedy specialist Peter Segal has agreed to direct "The Longest Yard" for Paramount and Sony.
The assignment marks the third time Segal has directed an Adam Sandler vehicle following Sony/Revolution's "Anger Management," which cumed $134 million domestically, and Sony's "Dates," which grossed $45.1 million in its first four days. Repped by CAA, Segal previously helmed U's "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps," Warner's "My Fellow Americans" and a pair for Par -- "Tommy Boy" and "The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult."
Additionally, Segal and longtime producing partner Michael Ewing have signed a two-year first-look deal with Paramount for their Callahan Filmworks shingle. Ewing will exec produce on "The Longest Yard"; he exec produced on "50 First Dates," co-produced "Anger Management," "Klumps" and "Fellow Americans" and associate produced "Tommy Boy," "Naked Gun 33-1/3" and "The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear."
Lensing on "The Longest Yard" is set to begin in June, with Chris Rock and Snoop Dogg also in talks to star. Cast is expected to include other music stars and former pro footballers.
"Yard" had been set up last summer by Paramount at Sandler's Sony-based Happy Madison Prods. and MTV. Sandler was not planning to star but decided to topline last month after reading Sheldon Turner's script; Sony also agreed at that point to co-finance with Par.
The original "Longest Yard," released in 1974 by Par, starred Burt Reynolds as a retired pro football quarterback sent to prison and forced by a sadistic warden to lead a team of inmates against a team of guards. The remake will be set in present day but retain basic plotlines of the original.
Sandler will produce along with Happy Madison partner Jack Giarraputo, MTV Films prexy Van Toffler and exec VP David Gale. Par exec VP Brian Witten is overseeing for the studio.
Contact Dave McNary at
dave.mcnary@variety.com