Ben Stiller To Direct 'The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty'

Once Ben Stiller landed one of the most sought after yet beguiling roles in Hollywood, why not direct himself, too?

Twitchfilm.com reports that Stiller will not only star in the big screen adaptation of the classic 1939 James Thurber short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," -- he signed on in April -- he'll helm it from behind the camera, too.

This will be Stiller's fourth directorial effort, after "Reality Bites," "The Cable Guy," "Zoolander" and "Tropic Thunder," and in a way, his first remake: the story was originally made into a film back in 1947.

A number of stars, including Jim Carrey and Will Ferrell, were rumored to be interested in the part; Sacha Baron Cohen was most recently rumored to be in talks for the part, in April 2010.

At one point, Gore Verbinski was attached to direct, but that fell apart, opening the door for Stiller.

Stiller is due to soon direct a sequel to Zoolander, as well, and recently produced Richard Ayoade's debut film, the teen drama, "Submarine." Currently, he's filming the comedy, "Neighborhood Watch" with Vince Vaughn.

For more, click over to Twitchfilm.com.

Comments

[feltonfan]

12:33 PM on 07/25/2011

Well, here's Hollywood doing what it does best, nowadays: Remaking a film that was already made right the first time. Hollywood is no longer a filmaking company. They are a corporation only interested in selling a tried and true product. Remaking old films is cheaper because you don't have to pay top writers. You simply show a tape of the old film to lower-paid writers and say: "Now make me a new version of this". Well, the good news is the classic version with Danny Kaye will be back out on DVD!

[Queso Grande]

12:44 AM on 07/21/2011

Stiller's a mensch.

[hema333]

08:57 PM on 07/20/2011

This will be Stiller's fourth directorial effort, after "Reality Bites," "The Cable Guy," "Zoolander" and "Tropic Thunder," !!!
it is THE FIFTH...
anyway am waiting to see his next movie trailer tower hiest...

[shthar]

02:43 PM on 07/20/2011

OH NO!

will this delay the next faucker movie?

[HUPOFYU]

01:45 PM on 07/20/2011

Ben Stiller is even more boooooorrrrrinnng that Matt Damon. After seeing one Ben Stiller or Matt Damon movie you have generally had enough.

Where do they find fools to finance this CRAP.

[hema333]

08:58 PM on 07/20/2011

Matt Damon !!!
what about Bourne movies ???

[practiceempathy]

10:35 AM on 07/21/2011

It's clear you're just attacking Damon because of his statements critical of Sarah Palin.

All of your posts are just hot air, ranting against people you don't like, sans substance or credibility. Get a hobby, man.

[eric14]

01:35 PM on 07/20/2011

I didn't read it. I want the secret kept.
Away from me.

[Absolute]

11:32 AM on 07/20/2011

Danny Kaye will always be Walter Mitty. Why do they keep messing with the classics?

[theuniversalcollective]

12:15 PM on 07/20/2011

$

[rjakjr]

12:55 AM on 07/21/2011

$ is the obvious answer but more importantly, if the person behind it is giving it their all as director and/or actor/actress (in this case both areas) then it makes for a great film. Hard to slam Ben Stiller, he's pretty much golden with everything he's done.

[FiredUpRTG]

01:40 PM on 07/22/2011

Hollywood doesn't want to try to make good original movies. Also, they now realize they're unable to spot good new scripts, and don't want to look at anything by people they don't know. So they have no access to good new stuff by unknowns.

[Ira Meyers]

11:18 AM on 07/20/2011

I,m still practicing my "Zoolander" pose.

[Abigailia]

10:46 AM on 07/20/2011

"This will be Stiller's fourth directorial effort, after 'Reality Bites,' 'The Cable Guy,' 'Zoolander' and 'Tropic Thunder'" ...?

Fourth? Am I missing something here?

[class of 66]

11:08 AM on 07/20/2011

maybe there will be something worth watching from eventually

[panasonic52]

12:30 PM on 07/20/2011

author can't count

[youvebeenflagged]

10:46 AM on 07/20/2011

A talentless hack on both sides of the camera

[rjakjr]

12:56 AM on 07/21/2011

Apparently the comedy movie genre is not your cup of tea... there's always the Scream franchise right? (...or do you prefer the Saw chain of pathetic film BS?)

[ttyy]

10:31 AM on 07/20/2011

Oh no. They are ruining another great film. The original was just fine thank you very much.

[brettrobbins]

10:20 AM on 07/20/2011

deceptive link. again.

[brettrobbins]

04:24 PM on 07/26/2011

Yet thanks for posting my comment.

[Dorian Kunkel]

10:08 AM on 07/20/2011

James Thurber did not like the Danny Kaye version of the movie - hope Ben keeps it more in line with the original story.

[cungar]

01:18 PM on 07/20/2011

Yeah that's going to happen LOL

[Aranxa]

10:01 AM on 07/20/2011

Won't be able to hold a candle to Danny Kaye, ever.