‘Almighty’ Carell ready to fill Carrey’s shoes

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The role in the new movie had been written for Carrey, who generally is not a fan of reprising parts. When Carrey declined, the filmmakers cast about for another comic actor who could fill his shoes. Among the ideas considered was bumping up Jennifer Aniston, who played Carrey’s girlfriend in “Bruce Almighty,” to lead status in the sequel, Bostick said.

Tom Shadyac, director of both movies, ultimately settled on Carell, who said he never would have imagined when he did his small bit in “Bruce Almighty” that he would be elevated to starring in the sequel.

“I would have thought they were crazy,” Carell said. “Even when Tom Shadyac came and wanted to speak to me, I thought he was talking about a sequel starring Jim Carrey in which I would play the idiot thorn in his side. Then when he said, ‘No, we’re thinking about you as the main character,’ I said yes immediately. I didn’t even think about it.”

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Unlike “Bruce Almighty,” which had a PG-13 rating, the PG-rated “Evan Almighty” is a family film, loaded with cute animals and slapstick sight gags. That may improve its chances at the box office, broadening the potential audience to include young children along with adults who liked “Bruce Almighty.”

The filmmakers now are considering whether they can carry on the franchise with a new star each time as God’s chosen one.

“Really, the common thread is Morgan Freeman as God. It’s a different set of lessons learned each time,” Carell said. “I would presume if there is a third one, I would not be called upon again, unless of course, Evan was hit in the head and forgot every lesson he learned.”

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