Directed by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, Absolutely Anything features the voices of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Robin Williams.

As the Monty Python revival continues apace, it has been confirmed that Simon Pegg is to star in sci-fi comedy Absolutely Anything, directed by Python alumnus Terry Jones and featuring the voices of fellow Python’s John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin along with Jones himself and Robin Williams.

Bill & Ben Productions today confirmed that Pegg, seen recently in Star Trek Into Darkness, The World’s End and Mission Impossible 4, is aboard the movie.

Pegg said: “As someone whose love of comedy was hugely informed by Monty Python, the chance to work with Terry was a gift. Meeting your heroes is one thing - working with them is something else.”

He will play Neil Clarke, a disillusioned school teacher who suddenly finds he has magical powers, bestowed upon him by aliens. 

The aliens will be voiced by Cleese, Gilliam, Jones and Palin.  US comedian Robin Williams will also star as the voice of Clarke’s faithful dog.  Additional casting is underway.

Jones commented: “Simon Pegg is the absolutely perfect Neil.”

Pre-production starts Feb 2, with principal photography commencing in London on March 23, ahead of a sold-out reunion of the Monty Python troupe at the O2.

Sales, production and finance company GFM Films are handling worldwide sales and the AFM saw them close pre-sales with Icon (Australia), Svensk (Scandinavia), Myndform (Iceland), Telepool (German-speaking), Exponenta (CIS), ECS (Middle East), Shaws (Singapore) and VTI (former Yugoslavia). 

Partner at GFM Films, Fred Hedman, said: “Distributor reaction to the script and creative elements at the AFM was terrific – a very positive start.”

Production finance has been secured by Absolutely Anything PLC.

The film is being produced by Ben Timlett and Bill Jones at Bill & Ben Productions. Jim Acheson is to design the production’s costumes and set.

Industry heavyweight Mike Medavoy, who previously worked with Terry Jones on Life Of Brian and Erik The Viking, will exec produce with Chris Chesser.

Timlett said: “We are extremely excited that Terry Jones’ and Gavin Scott’s script will soon be brought to life.

“Their collaboration has created a laugh-out-loud storyline, wonderfully quirky characters and dialogue that not everyone will be expecting.”

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