When you need someone to go around stealing garden ornaments, your thoughts immediately turn to Will Ferrell. At least, that’s what happened back in February, when the actor became attached to oddball comedy Flamingo Thief. Now he has a director to guide his bird-snatching actions, as Craig Gillespie is aboard.

You, Me And Dupree writer Michael LeSieur has adapted the script from Susan Trott’s novel. The unusual concept will see Ferrell as a lawyer who suffers a breakdown when his wife leaves him and becomes obsessed with stealing flamingo figurines.

Ben Stiller’s Red Hour company snapped up the screenplay from the Black List and snagged Ferrell’s services. It’s not clear when it’ll get moving as the actor’s schedule is a little packed at the moment, between American Football comedy Three Mississippi and writing / preparing for Anchorman 2.

Gillespie seems like a good choice for the movie whenever it happens, however. His CV includes Lars And The Real Girl and the pilot for Diablo Cody’s show United States Of Tara. He last handled megaphone chores for the Fright Night remake and recently returned to the small screen for the pilot of a new drama called Trooper, starring Mira Sorvino.