Variety reports that Russell Brand has attached himself to star in The Hauntrepreneur, a horror comedy from Paramount and Platinum Dunes. Written as a spec by Scott Rosenberg (Con Air, High Fidelity), the movie follows a new family in town who hire Brand‘s character to help them adjust to their surroundings. Calling himself a “Hauntrepreneur,” the character goes about creating a haunted house filled with all sorts of goofy and quirky ghosts. Makes sense; that’s what I would do in that situation. With a star attached, Platinum Dunes is now on the hunt for a director.
Brand gets a lot of flack, but, outside of his stand-up, I find him to be quite funny — even when the movies themselves aren’t especially great (Arthur being a prime example). The Hauntrepreneur itself sounds intriguing, though one can’t help but make Beetlejuice comparisons when thinking about it. I don’t expect it’ll be to that level, but it’d be nice to get a movie that’s at least in the same vein. We need more goofy ghost stories that are actually good. And if you’re worried about a lack of Russell Brand in your life, he’ll be showing up later this year in the ’80s musical Rock of Ages alongside Alec Baldwin and Tom Cruise. So you could see that when it comes out on June 15th, if you really want.
Alongside The Hauntrepreneur, Platinum Dunes is also lining up Vigilandia for Universal (starring Ethan Hawke and the recently announced Lena Headey) and working on getting a brand new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie off the ground. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m definitely intrigued by Platinum Dunes’ slate of upcoming movies. I feel dirty.
What do you think of The Hauntrepreneur? Does it have Beetlejuice-like promise, or will Platinum Dunes drop the ball? Also, what do you think of Russell Brand’s film career thus far?