Production on the long-in-development Mr. Popper’s Penguins is finally underway, and the first photos of star Jim Carrey on set have hit the web. The film, based on the popular children’s book by Richard and Florence Atwater, tells the story of a high-powered New York businessman who inherits six penguins. The penguins seem to derail the life of Mr. Popper, but instead end up changing his life for the better. The film stars Carrey, Carla Gugino, Ophelia Lovibond, and Philip Baker Hall. The film was originally set to be directed by Noah Baumbach, with Ben Stiller starring, but the two left the project back in April.

Directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls), the comedy is set to hit theaters on August 12, 2011. Hit the jump to check out the images.

Images via SplashNews.