While this writer doesn’t understand the love for the overrated “Community,” Joel McHale is undeniably funny and he’s long overdue for some big screen exposure — though it seems to be his year with “Spy Kids 4,” “What’s Your Number?” and “The Big Year” all on the way — and it looks like he’s found a new, particularly filthy vehicle that will allow him to continue his transition onto the big screen.
Deadline reports that McHale has joined Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Giovanni Ribisi in “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane‘s “Ted,” an ambitiously conceived tale about a man and his relationship with a stuffed teddy that comes to life thanks to a Christmas wish he made as a young child. The bear has long been by the man’s side, but now, twenty-five years later, he’s a smoking, cursing, delinquent nightmare.
Wahlberg will take on the lead role of the owner of Ted, with MacFarlane playing the mo-capped part of the foul-mouthed bear. Ribisi will play a man obsessed by Ted, while McHale will be Kunis’ sleazy boss who continually hits on her even though she has a boyfriend (Wahlberg). Complicating matters more, she wants to marry him but his attachment to Ted is getting in the way.
Lensing on the film will begin next month and it’s a big one with a reported budget in the $65 million dollar range; a huge figure for an R-rated comedy. But Universal is banking on MacFarlane’s fertile imagination and limitless mouth to make the film a sensation. No release date yet, but it should hit theaters in 2012. As for McHale, he will be hosting the Independent Spirit Awards tomorrow night.
