So, let's straighten this all out. First there was the Channel 4 hit comedy show "The Inbetweeners," about four young lads who are interested in the kinds of things young lads are usually interested in: alcohol and sex. The show gained a strong following, but no one could have predicted that the "The Inbetweeners Movie" — released last year and coming to the U.S. in September — would become the highest growing comedy in the U.K. of all time. And of course, a remake came knocking, with MTV set to unspool the Americanized version of the show in August (get a first look here). But wait, there's more.
THR reports that Paramount Pictures (whose parent company Viacom also owns MTV), is now putting into development their own "The Inbetweeners," and hired the original show's co-creator Iain Morris, to write and direct the U.S. version. Oddly enough, it's unclear if the movie will tie into the MTV show, or be a standalone project (in fact, Deadline reports it will be a road trip comedy "inspired by" the show, which suggests something different). Either way, the template is pretty much four young guys + boobs + alochol + (probably) low budget = success. Just look at what Warner Bros. did with their cheapie "Project X" earlier this year, rinse and repeat.
It's not exactly rocket science and it seems a no brainer move on the part of Paramount, who probably wouldn't mind having their own little raunchny comedy franchise to call their own. But if neither the stateside release of the movie or the MTV show do well, don't be surprised if Paramount cools on the idea…
