Ben Stiller to star in 'RentaGhost'

StillerBen Stiller is taking the lead in "RentaGhost" for Fox, which has acquired the comedy from Warner Bros., where Russell Brand had been set to star. "Night at the Museum" writers Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant will pen the script based on the BBC skein that ran for 58 episodes between 1976 and 1984. It centers on a recently deceased 27-year-old man who, determined to be more productive in the afterlife, creates RentaGhost, leasing ghouls, ghosts and other specters to the living. Kevin McCormick is producing through his Langley Park shingle with BermanBraun's Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Patrick Pidgeon; Andew Mittman is co-producing. Michael Staniforth, Edward Brayshaw, Michael Darbyshire and Anthony Jackson starred in the TV series. McCormick is a producer on Warner's period police drama "Gangster Squad," currently shooting in Los Angeles. Stiller will be seen next in U's "Tower Heist." He's repped by WME. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com