Peter Farrelly’s new comedy ‘Ricky Stanicky‎’ in talks with John Cena and Zac Efron

In a Deadline interview this morning, writer-director Peter Farrelly revealed he is planning an early 2023 start for ‘Ricky Stanicky‎’ , his first R-rated comedy in years. He is in talks with Zac Efron and John Cena, with the latter playing the title role.

Farrelly cautions that deals aren’t done, but he is sparked to move forward on a film he’s been working on through the making of Best Picture Oscar winner Green Book, and The Greatest Beer Run Ever. The latter has its world premiere Tuesday at TIFF, where Farrelly launched Green Book five years ago.

Ricky Stanicky will be in the spirit of the raucous comedies he made with brother Bobby that include Kingpin, There’s Something About Mary, Me, Myself and I and Dumb and Dumber. Farrelly and John Jacobs will produce it.

The current draft if the script is by Brian Jarvis and Jim Freeman. Jeff Bushell wrote the original spec and is also a producer.

Stanicky is a fictional character used by a group of married friends to blame their misbehavior on when making excuses to their wives.One day the wives, who have been wondering why they’ve never met Stanicky, demand to meet him.