Universal Lands Comedy Pitch From Will Ferrell

Universal Pictures has acquired from Branden O’Brien an untitled original pitch for Gary Sanchez Productions that will serve as the basis for a Will Ferrell starring vehicle.

O’Brien will write the script, which follows an escaped convict who teams up with an unlikely partner to stop his girlfriend from getting married.

Ferrell, O’Brien, Adam McKay and Jessica Elbaum will produce under their Gary Sanchez Productions banner. Chris Henchy serves as executive producer.

Exec VP of production Erik Baiers will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. Gary Sanchez recently produced Universal’s “The Boss” along with Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone’s On the Day Productions, which just bowed to a $23.5 million opening weekend at the domestic box office.

O’Brien most recently co-wrote and produced New Line’s “The House,” starring Ferrell and Amy Poehler, which will be released in June 2017. He also co-wrote and exec produced the hit 2014 Universal film “Neighbors” and the upcoming sequel “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.”

Ferrell was most recently seen alongside Mark Wahlberg in “Daddy’s Home.” UTA reps Ferrell and O’Brien, and Gary Sanchez is co-repped by UTA and WME.

The news was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter.

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