Ken Kaufman Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Tell me if this sounds familiar: The Hollywood Reporter posts that writers Ken Kaufman and David Agosto have sold an action-comedy pitch to MGM for $1 million. The project is tentatively titled Wardogs, and producer Michael Ewing says: "it's an action ensemble comedy in the vein of Ocean's Eleven, where the casting becomes an event. It is a bunch of these terrific actors getting together and having a good time, it's that kind of thing."

Did they keep seeing ads for Tropic Thunder while mourning the end of the Ocean's series? The film will be directed by Peter Segal, the man behind films like Tommy Boy, 50 First Dates, and most recently, Get Smart. So far, nothing is being said regarding Wardogs' plot, nor is there any word on when we'll start hearing about this super-cool group of actors.

Huge star ensemble comedies can be fun, but it kind of rubs me the wrong way when the only thing mentioned about the project is the plan for superstars, with no time given to the story. But here's your chance to dream up the ultimate star cast. What "terrific actors" would you cast in a film called Wardogs?

Just this morning I posted about Mike Myers and Jay Roach chatting up another possible Austin Powers sequel. On the heels of more groovy baby shenanigans, Roach has been tapped for another comedy. This is an original project from writer Ken Kaufman. If you're not familiar with the name, this is his resume -- In the Army Now, Muppets from Space, Space Cowboys, The Missing and Curious George. Considering the first three, this has the potential to be a decent flick, especially since Roach is responsible for Austin Powers and Meet the Parents.

An "off-center comedy," the winning pitch is about two party animals and friends who are close like brothers. However, one dies in a fluke accident, and the other flings himself into the throes of grief. That is, until he comes across someone else who could be the dead friend's doppelganger -- if he was taller and less nerdy. Looking to replace his friend, the guy tries to corrupt him and make this short nerd into his beloved friend. Unfortunately, since it's in the process of being written, that's all we know about the movie.

But that doesn't have to stop us from imagining the roles. Since they're party lovers, let's assume two twenty or thirty-somethings -- one of whom can look short or tall, nerdy or party animal-like. The first person to pop in my head is Eric Christian Olsen, the guy who played Gunter in Beerfest and the sex-loving Kenny in The Last Kiss. Maybe team him with Seth Green, who can pull off younger and should have a distraction from all of his Robot Chicken and Family Guy work? (He's short, and could always be given stilts!) Yeah, I'm at a loss. Any suggestions?