Gervais denies Hollywood reports

Ricky Gervais has denied reports in Hollywood’s most respected trade magazine that he has signed up to star in a new family comedy.

Variety today reports that The Office star play the lead in the Warner Bros film Early Retirement – a workaholic who quits his demanding job to be with his family.

According to the paper, Gervais agreed to appear before the film was even financed – but his British publicist says the reports are false.

‘The story about him doing the film Early Retirement is untrue.’ she said. ‘He isn't doing it.’’

‘’He has been approached, but never agreed to it and isn't involved at all.’

The story was was written by Mark Perez, whose previous credits includes Herbie Fully Loaded, who said that showing a husband suddenly spending more time with his family was a change from the usual family film. ‘It was fun to get to do the opposite of most family comedies,’ he said, ‘because I've written my share of those.’

Gervais is increasingly turning to film work, following his appearance in For Your Consideration last year – and having his name attached to a project would help producers secure funding.

He appeared in the Ben Stiller blockbuster A Night At The Museum; will play dodgy character Ferdy The Fence in the fantasy film Stardust, which opens next week; and is about to start filming the romantic comedy Ghost Town, in which he stars as a dentist who can hear dead people after temporarily ‘dying’ during an operation.

Only this week, he repeated his condemnation of comedians who took on too many films.

He said: ‘You can't do it just because you want to see your big fat face on the screen or so you can phone someone up and say, "I'm in a film". Who gives a f***?'

Published: 1 Aug 2007