Zack not so Funny?

After THE HANGOVER’s huge success this summer, everyone wanted a piece of Zack Galifianakis for their comedy. He eventually decided to star with Robert Downey, Jr. in DUE DATE and a HANGOVER sequel but that doesn’t mean he’s sticking to straight comedy. Branching out a little bit (like all comic actors seem to do eventually), Galifianakis will star in the upcoming dramedy IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY for director Ryan Fleck (HALF NELSON).

The film, which is based on a novel of the same name, follows a teenage boy who’s sent to a mental hospital after a bout with depression. He’s mistakenly housed in the adult ward where he meets a bunch of “offbeat adults” (one of which would be Galifianakis) and a quirky girl he falls in love with (Emma Roberts). The release describes Galifianakis’ role as “a meatier part with dramatic elements.

Though Fleck and partner Anna Boden have worked indie on their last two films, the project is currently set up at Focus Features and a shoot later this fall is planned.