Following a brief stint with apes and a darkly disturbing turn on Showtime’s Dexter, actor John Lithgow is heading back to comedy. Variety reports that Lithgow is joining the cast of Jay Roach’s political comedy Dog Fight. Previously titled Southern Rivals, the film stars Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as rival politicians running for a congressional seat in a small North Carolina district. The core comedic team here is fantastic, and Ferrell and Galifianakis will be joined by Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Sarah Baker (Sweet Home Alabama), and Katherine LaNasa (Valentine’s Day).

Roach is directing from a script by Chris Henchy and Shawn Harwell, and he’s producing alongside Ferrell and Galifianakis. Lithgow will next be seen (probably briefly) in New Year’s Eve, and also stars in Judd Apatow’s untitled comedy. Dog Fight opens August 10th, 2012.