Comedian and fast-rising television and film actor J.B. Smoove has joined the ensemble cast of Cameron Crowe‘s forthcoming dramedy “We Bought A Zoo.”
Smoove joins an impressive cast. Based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee, with a script from “The Devil Wears Prada” writer Aline Brosh McKenna, the story follows Mee (Matt Damon) as a single father who attempts to fulfil his late wife’s wish of moving their family to the titular animal sanctuary. Damon is joined by Scarlett Johansson, as love interest Kelly, Thomas Haden Church, as his brother, Angus MacFadyen as the head zookeeper and Elle Fanning and Patrick Fugit as other zoo employees. No word yet on Smoove’s role in the film.
Smoove has a healthy resumé heading into 2011, and is probably most memorably known for his stint on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (he’ll be returning next season). Or, you may remember him from his quick appearance in “Date Night” earlier this year (the experience must have been a good one as he’s developing a sitcom at Fox with director Shawn Levy). This year will find Smoove popping up in David Gordon Green‘s “The Sitter” and the Farrelly Brothers‘ “Hall Pass.” It looks like we’ll see a lot of Smoove in 2011, and that’s fine by us.
“We Bought A Zoo” films this spring and will hit theaters on December 23rd. [Variety]
