'Zookeeper' Talks to Stars

Some new details about Kevin James next childish comedy over at MGM called "The Zookeeper" have emerged that might make this film a bit of a guilty pleasure. Variety has revealed that "The Zookeeper" will take the Dr. Dolittle approach and have Kevin James talking to the animals he is caring for in the Zoo. (Yes, I know the first bit of the news is painful to read) Where this news flash becomes intriguing is just who will be voicing the animals within the Zoo. Adam Sandler, Cher, Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone and Judd Apatow all have been officially announced as the voices of the caged animals!

Let's just say right off the bat that I use to enjoy Kevin James comedy routine, his television show King of Queens was funny for the first few seasons, but more recently the actor has taken a huge drop in my eyes. Paul Blart: Mall Cop was insanely stupid and left me with the feeling that if the actor stayed on his recent trend of film choices, I was left with no desire to see any of the further films that James released. Then came news that he was making "The Zookeeper" which sounded like a dead ringer for a Paul Blart-esque comedy. After a heavy eye-roll, I quickly dismissed "The Zookeeper" as something I would dread my kids begging me to take them to see, but now a sliver of interest has been sparked with the quailty voice talents chosen for the Dr. Dolittle rip-off.

So just which animals will these talented actors and a director being voicing you ask? Adam Sandler will play the role of a monkey in the film, Cher will be voicing a giraffe, Jon Favreau is voicing a bear, Judd Apatow an elephant and Sylvester Stallone a lion. Jim Breurer, Faizon Love and Bas Rutten have also been cast as voice talents, but no word on which animals they'll be playing (it would be a sin to cast Breuer in a film playing an animal and not cast him as a goat though).

Another question that might come to mind is why the hell is this zookeeper talking to the animals? Well the answer is simple, to win the affection's of the woman of his dreams. Variety reports that the animals will help James win his true love by explaining their mating and dating habits in the wild. Rosario Dawson has been cast as the object of the zookeeper's (Kevin James) affections in "The Zookeeper" (lord knows she's mine). "The Zookeeper" is slated to begin shooting at the end of summer for a October 8th, 2010 release date. The film is being directed by Adam Sandler favorite Frank Coraci (Waterboy, Click & The Wedding Singer). More news as it develops.

What say you? Does The Zookeeper sound like it could have potential or be a guilty pleasure? Did you enjoy Paul Blart: Mall Cop and are looking forward to more of James's childish hijinks? Strikeback...