Myers positioned for 'Mitty' role

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HOLLYWOOD, May 23 (UPI) -- Canadian comic actor Mike Myers is the latest star said to be lined up for the Hollywood remake of the 1947 Danny Kaye film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

Jim Carrey had been poised for the part but when it didn't pan out, producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. took the project to Paramount where Owen Wilson was said to be primed for the lead. Now, Goldwyn has moved on to 20th Century Fox, where a fresh version of the story is being specifically written to fit Myers, Variety reported Wednesday.

Jay Kogen, known for his work on "The Simpsons," "Frasier" and "The Class," is writing the script, which is based on a James Thurber short story about a daydreamer. No director has been named, but previously the names Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Mark Waters were bandied about.

Myers is anything but idle. He's expected to begin work on "The Love Guru" in Toronto this fall, and he's up for "See Me, Feel Me: Keith Moon Naked for Your Pleasure."

Myers currently can be heard as his green alter ego in the box-office smash, "Shrek the Third."