Taking another inspiration from across the pond, 20th Century Fox will adapt the British comedy show, Rentaghost, that aired from 1976 to 1984 on BBC1. Actor Ben Stiller (Tower Heist, Zoolander) will headline the project and is reunited with his Night at the Museum scribes, Tom Lennon and Robert Ben Garant.
Rentaghost, the television series, was about a “supernatural firm called Rentaghost, which rented out spirits for a variety of tasks.” According to Deadline, Fox’s version will have Stiller will “play an American turnaround consultant who is sent to the UK to reinvigorate a failing company.” This project originally was pursued by Warner Bros. with Russell Brand to star, but due to Arthur’s lackluster performance at the box office, the deal did not close. Fox is hoping that Rentaghost will become the next family franchise of films for them.
Rentaghost will be produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun of BermanBraun, Kevin McCormick with Langley Park, and Patrick Pidgeon executive producing with Andrew Mittman associate producing. Berman and McCormick were with this project when Brand signed on.
No release date has been announced for Rentaghost.
