casting

Sean Penn Circling Ben Stiller’s Walter Mitty

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Actor Sean Penn attends the premiere of Julian Schnabel’s “Miral” hosted by The Weinstein Company and His Excellency Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations General Assembly Hall on March 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company) Photo: Jemal Countess/2011 Getty Images

It’s been ages since Sean Penn made a flat-out comedy, but Deadline brings word that the actor is in talks to play a supporting role in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, starring (and directed by) Ben Stiller. If Penn signs the dotted line, he’ll join a cast of comic actors including Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, and Patton Oswalt. Once upon a time, Penn was famously attached to the Three Stooges remake, so he could have had a recent comedic hit if he really wanted it, but was he a wise guy to drop out?

Sean Penn Circling Ben Stiller’s Walter Mitty