by Jared Larson
February 27, 2014

Vampires battling werewolves? That’s nothing compared to the craziness of the Monty Python troupe’s newest comedy.

Back in 2012, we reported that writer-director-actor Terry Jones (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and the Monty Python team were working on a new sci-fi comedy called Absolutely Anything. Now, thanks to Deadline, we have some new details about the long-gestating project.

Underworld‘s Kate Beckinsale has been cast as the potential love interest for Simon Pegg’s character, presumably the role for which Gemma Arterton was originally rumored. Beckinsale and Pegg are joined by comedian Eddie Izzard, Sanjeev Bhaskar (Notting Hill), Robin Williams, and Joanna Lumley (The Wolf of Wall Street).

Producer Ben Timlett said of Beckinsale’s casting, “We are over the moon to welcome Kate Beckinsale to our brilliant cast. She’s perfect in the role of Catherine and joins some of the best names in comedy. Terry Jones and Gavin Scotts’ script is laugh out loud and we look forward to bringing it to a worldwide audience.”

Deadline provides the following synopsis for the film: “Pegg plays a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has the ability to do anything he wishes, a challenge bestowed upon him by a group of power-crazed aliens watching from space. The aliens are voiced by Jones and his Python co-horts John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin. Struggling with the new-found powers, he calls upon his loyal canine companion Dennis (voiced by Williams) to help him along the way. Mishap after mishap finally leads him to an ultimate conundrum: Should he choose the girl (Beckinsale) or the dog?”

That premise sounds incredibly bizarre, which is exactly what you want from a Monty Python outing.

Source

The long-gestating Monty Python project “Absolutely Anything” is moving full steam ahead, with Gemma Arterton confirmed for the project and Benedict Cumberbatch in talks to join the comedy, TheWrap has learned.

To be directed by Terry Jones, “Absolutely Anything” will include voiceovers from Monty Python alumni, including Jones, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and John Cleese. Robin Williams will also do a voiceover.

Filming is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013, with Jones directing from a script he co-wrote with Gavin Scott. Ben Timlett and Bill Jones are producing.

The story revolves around a teacher who discovers he has magical powers and can make things happen with the wave of his hand. He can wipe out classrooms of badly behaving students and bring people back to life. But he experiences mishap after mishap as he tries to learn how to use these powers.

GFM Films is handling sales of the feature. The project was first announced in 2010.

Arterton’s recent credits include “Clash of the Titans” and “Byzantium.” Cumberbatch recently signed on to play The Beatles manager Brian Epstein in “The Fifth Beatle.”

(source)