Things have been quiet on the RENTAGHOST remake front since last October (and for those playing catch up, yes, there’s a RENTAGHOST remake… seriously), but today comes news that the project finally has a director attached.

After directing the project’s producer Ben Stiller in each of the insanely popular MADAGASCAR movies, Tom McGrath has landed the gig, calling the shots from a script by Thomas Lennon & Ben Garant. The duo may be known for such dross as HERBIE FULLY LOADED and the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM flicks, but anybody who has read their ‘How To’ book, WRITING MOVIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT: HOW WE MADE A BILLION DOLLARS AT THE BOX OFFICE AND YOU CAN, TOO!, knows the guys are whip-smart and super funny. When they want to be. As for McGrath, even though this will mark his live-action directorial debut his previous animated output such as supervillain flick MEGAMIND had their fair share of laughs. Can’t comment on the MADAGASCAR sequels personally, but we did chuckle our way through the first, so the guy clearly has some well-honed comedy chops.

While the cult children’s show is sacred ground for many of us Brits over a certain age (it aired from 1976 to 1984), we have to admit that the concept could make for a fun big-budget romp. (Unless they go ahead and cast Russell Brand as Timothy Claypole as they were threatening to do years ago.)

Now, all together… “we’ve got spooks and ghouls and freaks and fools at… Rent-a-ghost!” etc, etc…

We’ll have more news on this as it develops…

Source: Variety

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