FROM THE NEWS ARCHIVES OF CINEMA CONFIDENTIAL

Ratner to direct feature pairing Eddie Murphy & Chris Rock
POSTED ON 07/18/05 AT 9:00 A.M.
BY ETHAN AAMES

Variety reports that Brett Ratner will direct an untitled heist comedy that will team up Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. Ratner is expected to shoot the picture after he is finished with "X-Men 3" next year.

Adam Cooper and Bill Collage are negotiating to write the screenplay for Imagine Entertainment. Brian Grazer will serve as producer, while Universal Pictures handles distribution rights.

The film will tell the story of a couple of average, blue collar guys who try to pull the perfect heist. The plot is based on an idea from Murphy, who has longed wanted to work with Rock.