Stiller, Carrey movie reunion is aborted

By Tatiana Siegel

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Preproduction has been
halted on the big-budget, sci-fi comedy “Used Guys,” starring
Ben Stiller and Jim Carrey.

The 20th Century Fox project was to have begun shooting
June 11. It would have reunited the two comic titans for the
first time since Stiller directed Carrey in the infamous 1996
flop “The Cable Guy.”

“Due to scheduling issues, production is being delayed on
‘Used Guys’ … until sometime next year,” the studio said.
“The Jay Roach-directed film requires a long prep for its
futuristic settings, and both actors have films scheduled for
later in the year. All the parties remain committed to making
the picture when time permits.”

However, sources close to the project insist that the
$112-budgeted film is dead, at least in its current incarnation
with Stiller and Carrey heading the cast.

Set in a futuristic society run by women where men are
cloned and sold like cars, the story revolves around two men
who are returned and then go in search of the lost meaning of
manhood. Emily Mortimer recently signed on to co-star.

It was Stiller’s involvement in another Fox movie — “Night
at the Museum,” which is filming in Vancouver and New York —
that prevented the actor from being available for the “Guys”
start date next month. Stiller and Roach are producing “Used
Guys.”

Fox had slated “Guys” for a June 15, 2007, release date. In
its place, the studio’s “Fantastic Four” sequel starring
Michael Chiklis, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Ioan Gruffudd
will move into that spot. “Fantastic Four 2″ had been set to
bow July 4, 2007.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter