"Dinner for Schmucks," which stars Paul Rudd and Steve Carell, is an adaptation of the French film "Le Diner de Cons." The film, which is directed by Jay Roach, is being released by Paramount on July 30. 

The filmmakers set out to find comedic actors adept at both the moments of physical/broader comedy, while able to create embraceable characters. 

Steve Carell is a schmuck

Although many actors were at one time or another considered for the "schmuck," Steve Carell seemed the perfect fit. Carell, star of a string of successful films and the centerpiece of the NBC critical and popular success "The Office," is at the top of his comedic acting game and possesses an almost superpower-ly ability to bring honesty and sympathy to every character he embodies, regardless how much of a buffoon he plays. The actor infuses Barry with a childlike earnestness, and Carell offers, "I think of Barry as if Gandhi were crossed with one of the Three Stooges--he doesn't have one aggressive or mean bone in his body, but every time he makes any sort of decision, his actions always seem to have a negative reaction."

Producer MacDonald observes, "Barry wants to help in every way, but ends up unraveling every aspect of Tim's life. He's sweet, funny and irritating all at the same time, and Steve is fantastic in the part."

Carell continues, "I don't think that Barry is necessarily a dumb character. I just think he's a guy who tries way too hard--he has a knack for getting himself into awkward situations, but it is completely unintentional and very well-meaning. He's a sad character, but he's a guy who doesn't feel sorry for himself; he doesn't wallow in self-pity or expect others to. I think there's a real joy to the way he perceives life and himself."

Carell and Rudd reunite

"Dinner for Schmucks" marks the third on-screen collaboration for Carell and Paul Rudd, who was cast in the tricky role of Tim--the two have an easy rapport and genuine appreciation for each other. Rudd enthuses, "I think Steve is a genius--there have been many times when we've been doing scenes, and I just watch him, what he does and what he can come up with, and it's an incredible thing for me just to be that close to it, to really sit and watch that. I feel privileged. Plus, we have a great time." (Carell responds, "Paul is so much fun to work with--he's a joy and a great guy. He's everything you would think he would be, a really funny, sweet, smart, charming man.")

Paul Rudd plays Tim

The part of Tim is a bit more complex than Barry, and could potentially come off as a manipulative jerk, instead of the conflicted but well-meaning guy filmmakers wanted him to be. Roach and Company Schmuck considered Rudd "a guy that you never lose sympathy for." The director comments, "Paul is always nuanced in his performances--he plays everything from a leading man to a supreme schlub. He's extremely funny, and has the ability to keep audiences rooting for him, no matter how much of a jerk he plays."

From the very beginning, Rudd was excited to be a part of the film: "With Jay directing and David and Michael's script, I thought it was great. It's a classic convention, a Laurel and Hardy dynamic. It adheres to the same structure, and it's a blast to play."

Paul dove fully into playing Tim, unafraid of the inherent difficulties involved in portraying such a conflicted role, and someone who's not always the nicest of guys: "There are times when his morality comes into question. He wants it all, and is willing to maybe lie if he has to, or go about things in not the most stand-up way...but I think his intentions are good." Carell succinctly explains, "I think the character of Tim might be the most difficult one to play in the movie, because he's not a good guy. He's somebody who wants to get ahead in business, who is falling into lockstep with these executives, and it is wrong, very wrong. He has a conscience about it, but it is not keeping him from trying to achieve his goals--but, at the same time, you care about him." 

Working with Jay Roach

Director Jay Roach has nothing but compliments for his two leading men "I love working with people who can take on a chemistry or relationship and improvise, riff off of it. I've seen these guys do it before, and they seem like an old-fashioned comedy team, almost like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in 'The Odd Couple.'"

Carell admits that, in addition to collaborating with Roach, part of the appeal was being included among the talented cast: "Some of the people that are in this movie are really, really funny, and it's not just one person being funny, it's everybody--Jay has given everyone license to have fun and explore. No one has been afraid to try new things, and veer off into really interesting tangents." Roach sums it up, simply, "This is my dream cast--all are brilliant improvisers."