The last time Universal dabbled in the dark sequel arts with regards to Jim Carrey comedy vehicle Bruce Almighty, we got 2007’s floptastic Evan Almighty, which did little to help Steve Carell’s blossoming film career. But since even that critical dud managed to drag in around $175 million worldwide, the studio has decided to try again, hiring Hot Tub Time Machine writing duo Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel to take a crack at a direct sequel. And this time, they’re hoping to snag Carrey himself.
For those who don’t recall the 2003 film, Almighty saw Carrey as a down-on-his-luck TV reporter who demands an apology from God when his career takes a bad turn and his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston) leaves him. But instead of providing a quick fix, the Man Upstairs (Morgan Freeman) decides to give Bruce a taste of heavenly power to teach him a lesson. Cue farcical takes on Biblical acts!
There’s no word yet on what angle Paul and Mogel will take: Evan, for example, saw Carell’s competing character building a Noah-style ark. But at least the pair has experience of writing for Carrey, as they penned 2008’s Yes Man for the actor.
And it’s still in the early stages, since Carrey is notoriously sequel shy, and hasn’t made a follow-up since Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. It would seem he’s slowly warming to the idea, though right now even a Dumb & Dumber sequel remains more rumour than reality.
Carrey will next be seen starring alongside Carell, coincidentally, in magic comedy Burt Wonderstone.