Johnny Knoxville, Paton Oswalt to co-star in comedy

Johnny Knoxville and "poignant" usually don't occur in the same sentence, but the "Jackass" star is set to topline a comedy its producers call "outlandish yet poignant."

Patton Oswalt will also star in the movie, which Todd Rohal is directing -- and still writing.

According to producers, the movie is "about a pair of battling brothers who attempt to honor their ailing father by taking a troop of boys on a last ditch camping trip that goes wildly wrong."

The movie doesn't have a title yet.

Rob Riggle, Maura Tierney and Patrice O'Neal will also star in the ensemble comedy.

Knoxville and Oswalt on the same screen could be quite a combination. Knoxville made his name with "Jackass" and has starred in "Men in Black II," "Lords of Dogtown," "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "Walking Tall," among others.

Oswalt, who was the voice of Remy in "Ratatouille," is among the funniest stand-up comedians working. And he has starred as Neil on Showtime's "The United States of Tara" for three seasons.

On top of that is Todd Rohal, whose odd buddy movie "The Catechism Cataclysm" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival and is being released by IFC Films in October.

Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf's big Beach films is financing. Turtletaub, Saraf and Lisa Muskat are producing.

Ambrose to star in 'Funny Girl' revival

Lauren Ambrose is to play iconic entertainer Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl," the first Broadway production of the musical since it originally opened in 1964.

Featuring music by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, the production will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher, the revival's producers announced Wednesday.

The show will play at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles from Jan. 15 through Feb. 26, prior to opening on Broadway next spring.

"Let's face it, there is obviously more than a lot to live up to playing Fanny Brice, but I am humbled and thrilled by the opportunity to be a part of this revival," Ambrose said in a statement. "The character is complex, the music beautiful and challenging. I can't wait to get into that rehearsal room with the team Bart is assembling -- wish we could start tomorrow!"

"It's important that people not see this casting process as trying to find the next Barbra Streisand. She is one of a kind," added Sher. "Instead, I really needed someone with whom I could explore the original musical and come to terms with Fanny Brice for a new era. I understand how difficult this part is to fill as well as the characteristics required to explore this in a new way. The world of burlesque, vaudeville and the 'Follies' is a unique American invention and how Fanny Brice came up in that world is a wonderful story, but this show is also about the sacrifices of being an artist and the high cost that women in particular suffer when they find great success and the difficult choices that come with accomplishment. Lauren Ambrose has enormous accomplishments as an actor, especially a truthfulness in her acting that leads to great comedy, as well as a wonderful, rich voice that is fully trained and can genuinely soar."

Ambrose is a classically trained opera singer known for her work in the plays "Romeo & Juliet" and "Awake and Sing!," as well as on the TV drama "Six Feet Under."