On Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Will Ferrell has signed on to star in THE 100 YEAR-OLD MAN, and adaptation of the Jonas Jonasson novel The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.
In addition to leading the film, Ferrell will also serve as a producer on the project alongside Adam McKay and Jessica Elbaum via the trio’s Gary Sanchez banner. Andy Licht and NiceFLX Pictures’ Pontus Edgren and Mikael Wallen are also on board to produce. Penning the screenplay will be NARCOS writer Jason George while CBS Films maintains the rights to distribute the film.
If you're wondering what the story is about, here's a detailed synopsis of what you can expect from THE 100 YEAR-OLD MAN:
After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he’s still in good health, and in one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn’t interested (and he’d like a bit more control over his vodka consumption). So he decides to escape. He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot-dog stand operator, and an elephant (not to mention a death by elephant).
It would be the adventure of a lifetime for anyone else, but Allan has a larger-than-life backstory: Not only has he witnessed some of the most important events of the twentieth century, but he has actually played a key role in them. Starting out in munitions as a boy, he somehow finds himself involved in many of the key explosions of the twentieth century and travels the world, sharing meals and more with everyone from Stalin, Churchill, and Truman to Mao, Franco, and de Gaulle.
Recently, Jonasson gave a statement saying, “My character, Allan, knows the art of being funny just by being. That is something Will Ferrell masters to perfection. Great humor with small measurements. I am happy that Allan is now in his hands.” So far, the novel has sold over 10 million copies, and a Swedish film based on the book had previously become one of the highest-grossing films of all time in that country.
This project certainly does sound interesting, I think. It will be cool to see how they age-up Ferrell for the role, in addition to discovering the way he'll transform into the character. I can't imagine being fortunate enough to live for 100 years. Provided that I was in good health for the duration of that long and winding road, I would want to do and see so many things. I would definitely go see the pyramids of Egypt.
You can catch Will Ferrell when he stars beside Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, and John Lithgow in DADDY'S HOME 2, which is scheduled to arrive on November 10th.