Will Ferrell says he's not doing 'Alzheimer's comedy' about Reagan

HOLLYWOOD, April 29 (UPI) -- A spokesman for actor Will Ferrell says the comedian won't be participating in a movie that revolves around former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's battle with Alzheimer's Disease, as had been previously reported.

Thursday, it was reported that the comic actor was planning to take a role as the 40th president that had been described by some news reports as an "Alzheimer's comedy."

The film's plot is said to revolve around a White House intern who convinces the actor-turned-politician that he is only playing the president in a movie, when he enters his second term in 1985 with dementia.

Friday, though, Entertainment Weekly cited the actor's spokesman in reporting Ferrell is involved with no such project.

"The Reagan script is one of a number of scripts that had been submitted to Will Ferrell which he had considered," the representative said. "While it is by no means an 'Alzheimer's comedy' as has been suggested, Mr. Ferrell is not pursuing this project."

Ferrell's spokesman said the film, titled Reagan, hasn't even secured financing or a director.

A spokesman for actor Will Ferrell said Friday that the comedian is not scheduled to participate in a film about former President Ronald Reagan's battle with Alheimer's Disease, as it was reported Thursday. File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI

Still, news of the potential film upset many admirers and relatives of the former president.

"There's nothing funny about Alzheimer's, daughter Patti Davis told Page Six. "It is terrifying for the families of those who suffer from it. ... This movie is cruel, not just to my father, but to the millions of people who have the disease."

"Alzheimers is not a comedy to the 5 million people who are suffering with the disease," adopted son Michael Reagan tweeted. "It first robs you of your mind and then it kills you."

After it was reported that Ferrell is not attached to the project, Michael Reagan tweeted his thanks.

"Thank you for taking the right path. If [you] want to know more about the disease, contact myself or Patti," it said.

Diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years after leaving office, Reagan wrote a stirring and heartfelt letter to the American people in which he famously said, "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."