The Three Stooges Return in Untitled Project From the Farrelly Brothers

The Three Stooges Return in Untitled Project From the Farrelly Brothers

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures is moving forward on a modern incarnation of The Three Stooges, currently known as UNTITLED THREE STOOGES PROJECT, with Bobby and Peter Farrelly attached to direct from their screenplay. The announcement was made today by Mary Parent, Chairman, Worldwide Motion Picture Group.

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"The Three Stooges are a timeless staple of comedy and when we heard what the Farrellys had in mind we knew it was time for Larry, Moe and Curly to return to the big screen," Parent commented.

There have been numerous manifestations of The Three Stooges but their relationship with MGM dates back to 1933 when the trio appeared in a series of shorts and features for the Lion. The Farrelly Brothers have been working on a modernization of the Stooges, 'slapstick with heart' concept since the mid-90s. But it was their decision to focus on an origin story for Larry, Moe and Curly and thus introduce the three to a new generation that pushed the picture onto the fast track. Audiences have embraced The Three Stooges in a variety of mediums; vaudeville, shorts, television and home video but for Peter Farrelly the communal nature of a theatrical feature remains the perfect experience.

"We love The Stooges! They have been sending the world into hysterics for more than 80 years." Farrelly continued, "Movie goers today deserve their own Stooges and we look forward to introducing them to a new generation of knuckleheads."

Executive Producer Earl Benjamin is equally thrilled by the prospect of a contemporary take, "Now is the perfect time for The Three Stooges to return, we can't wait for family members of all ages to enjoy the fun together, and these days everybody needs a laugh."

Executive vice president of production Cale Boyter and vice president of production Luke Ryan are overseeing the project for MGM. Bobby and Peter Farrelly are producing with Bradley Thomas and Charlie Wessler. Earl Benjamin and Robert Benjamin of C3 Entertainment are serving as executive producers. As casting gets underway the filmmakers are targeting a release date of November 20th, 2009.

The Farrelly Brothers are represented by Richard Lovett and Adam Kanter at CAA and attorneys Peter Grossman and Cindy Gesner of Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman.

C3 Entertainment, Inc. is represented by Robert Myman of Myman, Abell, Fineman, Fox, Greenspan & Light.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

About C3 Entertainment, Inc.:

C3 Entertainment, Inc., home of The Three Stooges(R), is a diversified entertainment company involved in television and motion picture production, retail sales and the licensing and merchandising of The Three Stooges(R). For more information, please visit http://www.c3entertainment.com/ and http://www.threestooges.com/.

CONTACT: Grey Munford
Director/Corporate Communications
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
e.gmunford@mgm.com; o. 310-586-8227

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: MGM Pictures

CONTACT: Grey Munford, Director, Corporate Communications of
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, +1-310-586-8227, gmunford@mgm.com

Web site: http://www.mgm.com/
http://www.c3entertainment.com/
http://www.threestooges.com/

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