Ben Stiller To Direct "Help Me Spread the Goodness"

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

It appears that Tony Perkis himself is getting serious, as Ben Stiller is gearing up to helm “Help Me Spread Goodness” for Participant Media, says Production Weekly.

According to Production Weekly: “Ben Stiller's “Help Me Spread Goodness” is scheduled to begin production mid-April on location in Africa & the U.S.”

The production company has a mandate that says their films must compel social change. "Goodness" is based on a 2008 Black List-approved screenplay written by Mark Friedman. The film is about a Chicago banker who gets swindled in a Nigerian Internet scam.

It's described as a drama with comic overtones and was developed by Participant Media executive VP Jonathan King and president Ricky Strauss. While the project is meant to be entertaining, it sheds a light on current issues in Nigeria and other African countries.

There is no word yet if Stiller himself will star or who else might be among the cast.

Stiller seems to be leaning towards the dramatic side lately, with Noah Baumbach’s "Greenberg" on the way, and this mature project in the works. Stiller has proved that he has a knack for directing, with “The Cable Guy,” “Zoolander” and “Tropic Thunder” under his belt. The film sounds like it will be interesting, and hopefully it will shed more light on what’s going on in Africa.