Warner Bros. Acquires RENTAGHOST for Russell Brand

Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to the British children’s television comedy Rentaghost.  Variety reports the studio is developing Rentaghost as a vehicle for Russell Brand, with “a similar tone to Beetlejuice and Gremlins.”  The original series, which ran from 1976-1984, centers on a company which rents ghosts out for various tasks.  Brand is meant to play Fred Mumford, “a recently deceased loser who feels he can find work for ghosts whose lives were as failed as his.”  Brand will produce along with Kevin McCormick (Hard Ball), Gail Berman (Angel), and Lloyd Braun (Accidentally on Purpose).

Hit the jump for a fuller synopsis of the TV series and a recap of the projects Brand is attached to.

Here’s how Wikipedia describes Rentaghost:

The company, located in South Ealing, is run by Fred Mumford, a recently deceased loser who feels he can find work for ghosts whose lives were as failed as his. His first (and only) recruits are Timothy Claypole, a mischievous jester with a comical lack of knowledge about modern technology, and Hubert Davenport, a delicate Victorian era gentleman who is morally shocked by the modern world. The ghosts work from an office which they rent from Harold Meaker, who discovers the truth about them in the 3rd episode.

I’m sadly unfamiliar with the property: is the series fondly remembered by Brits of a certain age?

Brand will next be seen the Shakespeare adaptation The Tempest (December 10th), followed by the Arthur remake in 2011.  He has also been linked to the action comedy Hawkwood, the Adam Sandler-produced Bad Father, another vehicle set up at Warner Bros., and a remake of Drop Dead Fred.