Screenwriter Clay Tarver is tuning up for his directorial debut on "Men Making Music, Music Making Men" (working title), a comedy set in the world of competitive barbershop choruses.
Disney has bought Tarver's pitch for high six figures against seven-figures. "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams will produce.
Tarver, who most recently teamed with Mike Judge on the Fox comedy "Meat in the Freezer" and Fox Searchlight comedy "The House of Rothschild," also teamed with Abrams to script the thriller "Joyride," which starred Paul Walker. Tarver pitched to Disney prexy Nina Jacobson his idea for the barbershop chorus competition, where 150-man groups practice thousands of hours to synchronize perfectly during a three-minute stage performance in competition.
Jacobson, who has been successful giving chances to first-time directors in "The Rookie" helmer John Hancock and "Freaky Friday" helmer Mark Waters, agreed to give Tarver his shot.
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