Although the project has been on hold forever, Paramount is still considering “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” a priority among its slot of upcoming flicks.

The latest in talks to direct the film is Chris Columbus, the man behind films such as “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Home Alone” and the first two “Harry Potter” adventures.

Variety says Columbus came up with an entirely new concept for the flick, which was originally scheduled to launch into production in 2007.

Jim Carrey is still attached to star as newspaper columnist-explorer Robert Ripley. Paramount hopes to have the flick ready for 2011.

Columbus is currently post-producing “I Love You, Beth Cooper.” He’s also gearing up to direct “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief,”

Final word: Projects that take so long to develop usually end up sucking anyway. I say forget Ripley and move on to something else. But no one listens to me anyway, so good luck!