If you follow the handy and regularly updated news service that is Simon Pegg’s Twitter feed, you know that his collaboration with Terry Jones and some of the other Monty Python veterans, Absolutely Anything is about to start shooting. And another comedy regular has jumped aboard, with Rob Riggle signing on.
Pegg is playing Neil Clarke, a disillusioned teacher who discovers he has magical powers, albeit in more of a Thor sense of the word, because the abilities come from some alien interlopers. The extra-terrestrials in question will be voiced by director Jones alongside old pals John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, with Robin Williams stepping into the voice booth to provide vocals for the main man’s dog, Dennis. Kate Beckinsale was a recent recruit, set to play Catherine, the object of Neil’s affection.
Riggle, a veteran of The Daily Show and films such as 21 Jump Street and Going The Distance, is on as Colonel Grant. If he follows the usual reaction the American military has to alien incursions, we predict he won’t be pleased. The role shouldn’t be much of a stretch for Riggle, as he also served in the US Marine Corps before turning his hand to making us laugh. He’ll next be seen in** 22 Jump Street** (out June 6) and Farrelly brothers sequel Dumb And Dumber To (which arrives December 19).
Absolutely Anything will start the cameras rolling shortly, but doesn’t yet have an official release date.