I remember when David Zucker’s name meant some decent comedy, but there was quite a plummet between Airplane! and Zucker taking over the Scary Movie franchise. None of the rumored projects with Zucker involved sounded all that promising, from another Scary Movie picture to a superhero spoof, so I haven’t been heartbroken to see Zucker take his time to develop another picture. It looks like the next project is moving ahead, however, and it’s neither of those previously rumored options.

While Zucker is continuing the same parody comedy that has been the staple of his career for his next picture, instead of scary movies or superheroes, it appears the director will be taking on that Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. In their report, Moviehole suggests the decision may be linked to Robert Zemeckis’s more serious approach to the story, offering a window of opportunity for the parody Zucker will create. It’s not a bad suggestion – take advantage of a potentially built-in audience – especially if studio advertising can confuse viewers as to which movie they’re gong to see (if the two are released at the same time).

Apparently Zucker’s parody won’t be set at Christmastime, but instead around the 4th of July. The night before Independence Day the Scroogish figure is visited by three spirits who help him become more patriotic. Is it just me, or does this sound more like a picture to be released this year, during the presidential elections, than a rival for Zemeckis’s Christmas Carol?

No word on when the project starts filming or who will be involved, but, considering their history, it would be foolish to think Leslie Nielsen wouldn’t be attached in some way.