Fox has acquired "Rentaghost [5]," a comedy based on a BBC [6] children's series, and has attached Ben Stiller [7] to star, TheWrap has confirmed.
In the series, Fred Mumford, a ghost who was loser in life, attempts to find work for other ghosts in his predicament.
The movie had been in development at Warner Bros [8] with Russell Brand [9] attached.
The movie will reteam Stiller with "Night at the Museum [10]" writers Thomas Lennon [11] and Robert Ben Garant [12].
That team has worked for Fox [13], which grossed $987 million on the two "Night at the Museum" comedies.
Stiller stars with Eddie Murphy [14] in Universal's "Tower Heist [15]," which opens on Nov. 4. He also stars in the upcoming "While We're Young [16]," "Madagascar 3 [17]," "Neighborhood Watch [18]" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty [19]," which he's also directing.
Kevin McCormick [20] is producing for his Langley Park [21] and Gail Berman [22] and Lloyd Braun [23] are producing for their BermanBraun [24]. Patrick Pidgeon also is producing.
Variety first reported the news.