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Louis Leterrier is in negotiations to direct Sacha Baron Cohen in Grimsby, Paramount‘s upcoming spy spoof.
The studio picked up the project as an untitled pitch from Cohen and Phil Johnston (Wreck-It Ralph) in 2012.
The story concerns a James Bond-like spy who “is forced to go on the run with his long-lost brother, a moronic soccer hooligan,” according to the logline provided by the studio at the time.
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Grimsby is an interesting move for Leterrier. The director, best known for The Incredible Hulk and Clash of the Titans, is firmly planted in the action world. He also directed Now You See Me, Summit’s surprise summer hit that now has a sequel in the works.
Grimsby will have some action elements to it, as it does deal with spies, but with Cohen in the lead, it will definitely have a heavy comedic footprint, giving Leterrier an opportunity to flex a different directing muscle.
And Cohen may be stepping outside his comfort zone as well. While the comedian has worked with several directors on the film side, including as Martin Scorsese in Hugo, all of his starring vehicles, from Borat to Bruno to The Dictator, have been directed by one man: Larry Charles.
Leterrier is repped by CAA, Management 360 and Hirsch Wallerstein.
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