UNIVERSAL, IMAGINE REMAKE 'BEST FRIEND' WITH ANDERSON (VAR)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have called on Wes Anderson to write "My Best Friend," a remake of the 2006 Patrice Leconte French comedy "Mon Meilleur Mmi." Anderson may also direct, says Variety. Brian Grazer and Agnes Mentre will produce. Rosalie Swedlin will be executive producer.

“Friend” marks Anderson’s first collaboration with Imagine. He recently completed directing an animated adaptation of Roald Dahl novel "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" with 20th Century Fox Animation.

“Mon Meilleur Ami” starred Daniel Auteuil and Dany Boon. Auteuil played a curmudgeonly antiques dealer who is challenged by his business partner to produce a best friend in a scant amount of time. Boon played the nice-guy taxi driver whom Auteuil recruits to pose as his buddy.

The film was a modest hit in France selling just over one million tickets in 2006. That same year, Leconte directed the top grossing film of the year, “Les Bronzes 3 Amis Pour la Vie” – it currently ranks as the 7th biggest all-time hit in France.

Earlier this year, Boon directed and starred in “Welcome to the Sticks,” France’s all-time number two box office winner just behind “Titanic.” Will Smith’s Overbrook took remake rights to that film.