Sean Penn to Star in "Three Stooges"?

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

In 2009, Sean Penn announced that he was retiring from acting to focus on his family, which meant he was leaving the Farrelly Brothers remake of “The Three Stooges.” But it’s a new year, and the Boston Herald reports that Sean Penn is looking to get back to work.

According to the Herald: Sean Penn, who dropped out of the Farrelly Brothers’ “Three Stooges” movie during the bust-up of his marriage, is back on board to play middle Stooge Larry, said director Bobby Farrelly.

There were rumors that Paul Giamatti would replace Penn, but that didn’t end up working out. Since the film couldn't kick into gear for its August start date, the brothers decided to shoot the lower budget “Hall Pass,“ with Owen Wilson.

That movie is about a ho-hum hubby whose wife, looking to spice up their sex life, gives him a “pass” to play the field for a week. “Hall Pass” starts shooting in Atlanta next month with the brothers presumably shooting “Stooges” next.

Larry is now good and set, and with Penn back on, Benicio Del Toro should still play Moe. That leaves the one final Stooge left, Curly. Bobby Farrelly has said that Jim Carrey isn't interested, so who will fill those large shoes? Only time will tell.

I am no expert on the Stooges, but having Penn back automatically makes this project something to follow. Hopefully they can add another big name to the cast (Will Ferrell? Steve Carrell?) to round out the classic comedy group.

Look for “The Three Stooges” in 2011.