The Incredible Mr. Limpet

Will Richard Linklater Helm THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET?

by Jason Barr    Posted: March 15th, 2011 at 6:02 pm

Oscar-nominated writer/director Richard Linklater (Before Sunset) is reportedly the leading candidate to take over the director’s chair for the Warner Bros. remake of the 1964 animation/live-action hybrid The Incredible Mr. Limpet. While nothing is signed and delivered as of yet, 24 Frames reports that the director responsible for films such as Dazed and Confused and A Scanner Darkly has met with Warner Bros. executives “several times” to discuss his take on the material and is currently their top choice for the gig.

While the Linklater story may very well have legs, the remake of the 1964 original starring Don Knotts has been kicking it in development hell for some time now and, back in June 2009, had Kevin Lima (Enchanted) attached to direct. Fast-forward to June 2010, and reports were filing in that Zach Galifianakis was in talks to star in the remake. It has been a while since we last heard anything about Galifianakis’ potential involvement in the film so, perhaps, the Linklater talks will bring that side of the story to the forefront once again. Linklater’s most recent directorial work comes in the form of the comedy Bernie which is currently in post-production and stars Matthew McConaughey and Jack Black. He also directed Zac Efron and Claire Danes in Me and Orson Welles.

Will Zach Galifianakis Fight the Nazis as a Fish in THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET?

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 14th, 2010 at 5:43 pm

The Hangover star Zach Galifianakis tested the waters of live-action family comedy with G-Force, and stretched his animated chops for the upcoming Shrek spinoff Puss in Boots.  He may next get to do both in a remake of the 1964 comedy The Incredible Mr. Limpet.  The original starred Don Knotts (The Andy Griffith Show) as a man who transforms into a fish and promptly joins the Navy as their “secret weapon” against the Nazis.  (Wait, what?)   Kevin Lima (Enchanted) is on board to direct.

Heat Vision reports that early talk pegged Johnny Depp for the role, but that’s a no-go, and the producers have their sights set on Galifianakis.  The Greek comedian will next be seen opposite Steve Carell and Paul Rudd in the July comedy Dinner for Schmucks, and paired with Robert Downey Jr for Due Date in November.

Check out the synopsis and trailer for the original (complete with theme song “Super Doodle Dandy”) after the jump .

ENCHANTED Helmer Kevin Lima to Direct Hugh Jackman in AVON MAN

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 17th, 2010 at 11:08 am

After directing 2007′s highly-acclaimed Enchanted, Kevin Lima has finally settled on his next project.  ProductionWeekly reports that Lima will direct Hugh Jackman in the comedy Avon Man.  20th Century Fox picked up Kevin Bisch’s pitch back in July with Variety reporting the following synopsis:

Story follows men laid off from an auto dealership. One is reluctantly recruited into becoming an Avon salesman, and while the experience is initially emasculating, he uses his charm and good looks to become a top seller. The comedy takes on a “Full Monty” vibe when the car salesman sets out to save his financially strapped family and town by conscripting his buddies into the makeup business to win a regional contest.

Lima has also been attached to several projects including The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Tom Thumb, The Spook’s Apprentice, and Frank, all of which fall around the light-hearted comedy realm.  PW reports that filming on Avon Man is set to begin this April in Atlanta.

ENCHANTED Director Kevin Lima Swims With THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 11th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Despite numerous false starts, Warner Bros. is trying once more to get the remake of 1964 animated film “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” swimming again.  The project has attracted high-profile comedians like Robin Williams and Jim Carrey but the project, for one reason or another, could never seem to get out of development hell.  But according to THR, Warners is now betting on “Enchanted” director Kevin Lima to finally get the project to the big screen.

Starring Don Knotts, the original centered on an otherwise bland sort who after his transformation becomes a World War II hero when he helps spot and thwart enemy warships for the Allies.  You have a fish that wears spectacles and fights Nazis.  How does the ironic detachment crowd just not eat that up?

Lima is currently attached to numerous live-action/animation hybrid flicks as studios hope he can repeat his “Enchanted” success with “Thumb” (based off the tale of Tom Thumb), “The Spook’s Apprentice”, and “Candyland”.

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