Fresh off an emotional appearance at the Emmy Awards where he received a standing ovation, Tracy Morgan is in negotiations to join Ice Cube and Charlie Day in New Line’s comedy “Fist Fight,” TheWrap has learned.
“Fist Fight” will be Morgan’s first movie since he was seriously injured in an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike in June 2014, when a Walmart truck struck a limo carrying the comedian and several others.
Richie Keen is directing “Fist Fight” from a script by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux. Shawn Levy is producing with Max Greenfield and John Rickard, while Day is executive producing with Dan Cohen, Marty Ewing and Billy Rosenberg. Production starts this month in Atlanta.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Day plays a mild-mannered teacher who is challenged to a fist fight by a much tougher colleague, played by Ice Cube.
“Breaking Bad” alum Dean Norris will play the school’s principal, while “22 Jump Street” scene-stealer Jillian Bell will play a guidance counselor.
While Morgan’s role hasn’t been disclosed, his casting is further proof of his impressive recovery. He married Megan Wollover last month and will return to “Saturday Night Live” to host the Oct. 17 episode.
Morgan was last seen on the big screen in Chris Rock‘s “Top Five,” which he filmed prior to the accident. Morgan previously worked with Ice Cube on the 2008 comedy “First Sunday” and the 2005 comedy “Are We There Yet?,” in which he provided the voice of Satchel Paige.
The Emmy-nominated “30 Rock” alum is represented by CAA and Hansen Jacobson.