
Paramount has tapped Chris Columbus to direct their long gestating Ripley's Believe It or Not film after Columbus himself pitched an overhaul idea. The film was originally to be directed by Tim Burton but fell through. Its intended star, Jim Carrey, is still on board, and the the story will follow reporter/explorer Robert Ripley on an adventure that explores the worlds oddities. The studio is eying a 2011 release, with hopes of franchising opportunities.