Pierce Gardner wrote the screenplay, and Jon Shestack will produce the film.
The star of The 40 Year-Old Virgin will play Dan in Real Life, after he finishes work on Evan Almighty, the sequel to Bruce Almighty, for Universal Pictures.
Carell will play a widower with three daughters who writes a parenting column in the local paper. His strict way of life is put to the test when he falls in love with his little brother’s girlfriend.