Steve Martin might have faced mixed reviews for his most recent Oscar hosting stint, but he’s still in demand for comedy films, negotiating to co-star in bird-watching comedy The Big Year, which will see him work alongside Jack Black and Owen Wilson.
**Marley & Me **director David Frankel is behind the camera for the film, which is based on Mark Obamscik’s book The Big Year: A Tale Of Man, Nature And Fowl Obsession.
Howard Franklin adapted the script, which sees three men trying to win a competition to spot the rarest birds in the US (yes, it sounds thrilling, doesn’t it?). And the rivalry is apparently an allegory for the challenges the three face in their lives.
There must be something in the concept, even though it’s been in development for a while at Fox, since Dustin Hoffman was attached for a while. All being well, Frankel will hunker down in a blind and start shooting this May in Canada.