Washington, Mar 26 : Oscar winner Sean Penn has been roped in to star alongside Jim Carrey in comedy film `The Three Stooges', about the slapstick antics of Moe and Curly Howard and Larry Fine.

While Carrey is in negotiations to play the role of Curly, Benicio del Toro is the front-runner for the leader, Moe. Penn has been signed on for the role of Larry, reports Variety.

Farrelly brothers will write and produce the movie.

The film is not a biopic but a fictional treatment that maintains the Stooges' gleeful slapstick updated for a modern setting.

The Farrelly brothers' latest comedy "The Heartbreak Kid" grossed USD 124 million worldwide. (ANI)