Actor Hank Azaria's directorial leap in 'Outsourced'

By Stone Martindale Jan 3, 2007, 17:11 GMT

Hank is awesome! © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Genius monster talent, actor Hank Azaria is in negotiations to make his feature directorial debut on the Columbia Pictures comedy "Outsourced", reports the Hollywood Reporter.

Despite a prodigious career as a film, theater and television actor, the Queens, New York native Azaria shines in the long running animated series "The Simpsons" as the voice of many classic characters.  In past interviews,  Azaria credited his many voice over role models such as Moe the bartender as being based on actor Al Pacino, Dr. Nick on Desi Arnaz, Chief Wiggum on actor Edward G. Robinson, Apu on Peter Sellers' character, Hrundi V. Bakshi, in 1968 film, "The Party" and Comic Book Guy on his old college roommate. 

"Outsourced" is about two line workers, initially listed by various database sites to be played by Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, but now is no longer confirmed per the Reporter.  Vince Vaughn's website www.vince-vaughn.com still mentions his involvement with this project.  The two lose their factory jobs, "outsourced" to Mexico of course, and then the two decide to head over the border to win their jobs back.

Azaria is a classically trained gifted actor who was once married to actress Helen Hunt.  Azaria went to college with actor Oliver Platt, and has inspired playwright Jenelle Riley to pen characters in her shows after his voiced 'Simpsons" characters that play on his name, such as Hank Wiggum and lead character in her award-winning 2004 film "The Perfect Candidate" named Frank Grimes after "Homer's Enemy".