Forest Whitaker is many things-- an Oscar-winning actor, a guy capable of being terrifying when the opportunity arises, and a veteran of the 2000 debacle Battlefield Earth. But is he funny? His filmography wouldn't tell you so, but Whitaker is giving it a shot anyway, signing on alongside Carlos Mencia and America Ferrera for Fox Searchlight's untitled family comedy.

Brown Sugar director Rick Famuyiwa will be directing his own script, about two fathers (Whitaker and Mencia) who have to set aside their feud for the wedding of one's daughter (Ferrera) and the other's son. Variety isn't saying who will play the son, but since filming starts next month in L.A., I'd imagine some young black actors are out there in negotiations right now.

This is the second project in about two months that has reminded me greatly of the Broadway show The Fantasticks, which I guess isn't surprising-- that play has a great and timeless story about feuding neighbors who come together when their children fall in love. It's not an original story they're working with at Searchlight, but if they work their usual magic, they'll make it worth watching anyway.