Actor/writer/director Seth MacFarlane is roping in some Oscar-caliber talent for his second directorial feature film. Charlize Theron is in talks to star in the western comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West, which MacFarlane will both direct and star in.  The story centers on a farmer whose girlfriend leaves him after he chickens out of a gunfight.  “When he meets the wife of a notorious outlaw who offers to teach him how to shoot, the farmer at first sees a chance to win back his love but slowly falls for the woman. Complications ensue when the outlaw returns and reclaims his woman.”  Hit the jump for more details.

News of Theron’s casting comes via Heat Vision, who reports that the actress is in final negotiations to star in the film.  This sounds like spot-on casting for Theron, who has a wicked sense of humor and has proven herself to be a formidable badass.  In addition to starring in and directing the live-action comedy, MacFarlane also co-wrote the script alongside Ted and Family Guy writers Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild.  He’s currently busy preparing for his Oscar hosting duties in late February, but a May production start date is being eyed for A Million Ways to Die in the West.

Theron most recently wrapped a starring role in George Miller’s long-delayed Mad Max: Fury Road and she’s also set to lead a remake of Park Chan-wook’s Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, which she’s producing.  MacFarlane has a sequel to Ted in the works, but it appears that A Million Ways is his current priority.