‘Anchorman’ director McKay to helm adaptation of Michael Lewis’ finance drama ‘The Big Short’

NEW YORK, N.Y. – In a shift to drama, Adam McKay will write and direct an adaptation of Michael Lewis’ financial crisis bestseller “The Big Short: The Doomsday Machine.”

Paramount Pictures announced Monday it will produce “The Big Short” along with Plan B, Brad Pitt’s production company.

McKay is best known as the director of comedies, including the two “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights” and “Step Brothers.” He regularly collaborates with Will Ferrell, who has starred in all his films, including the white-collar crime comedy “The Other Guys.”

But “The Big Short” will mark a pivot for the former “Saturday Night Live” head writer. In a statement, McKay said he and Plan B connected over the “breathless quality” of Lewis’ 2010 book about the housing market bubble.

Plan B also produced Lewis’ baseball tale, “Moneyball.”

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.