Mark Waters to direct 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Mark Waters is in talks to direct the big-screen adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book "Mr. Popper's Penguins" for 20th Century Fox. Sean Anders and John Morris wrote the screenplay.

The story of the book follows Mr. Popper, a house painter whose life takes a major turn when he receives a real penguin in the mail. He then receives a female one too, and soon, he's in charge of 12 penguins.

Variety says Jim Carrey, Jack Black and Owen Wilson are loosely attached to the project. Waters' credits include "Freaky Friday," "Mean Girls," "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."