Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) is in early talks to direct a movie adaptation of Mr. Popper’s Penguins for 20th Century Fox, Variety reports. Director Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale) and actor Ben Stiller were previously tied to the movie, but are reportedly no longer involved. Instead, Jack Black, Jim Carrey, and Owen Wilson are rumored to be in the running for the lead role of Mr. Popper, a house painter who winds up with a stage act featuring a dozen penguins. Mr. Popper’s Penguins was a 1938 children’s book written by Richard and Florence Atwater.
Jun 22
2010
09:05 PM ET
Director Mark Waters in early talks for 'Mr. Popper Penguins'
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Wow, I haven’t read that book since I was in grade school! I can’t believe they are making a movie out of it though. I still can’t believe they made Fantastic Mr. Fox a movie either…
They’ll make a movie out of anything now.
I love this box so much. It’s the only childrens book still in my bookshelf. I hope that they don’t ruin it like so many other books.
Please don’t cast any of those guys mentioned.
Wow – I literally have not thought about this book for 25 years! The minute I read the title, I remembered though. I can’t imagine taking it in the direction of those actors, too much mugging for the camera. I think they should cast an actor who is known for serious roles, but will surprise us with his levity. Wasn’t Mr. Popper the straight man to the penguins’ antics? Actually, this might be a great and surprising role for Ben Affleck.
Jim Carey has done some great more serious roles and I think he could pull this off. What about Robert Downey Jr? Do luv Owen though. Gonna be interesting to see who wins this one. Great tale that I hope will be done justice