Bill Murray is in early talks to star in the comedy St. Vincent de Van Nuys for writer-director Theodore Melfi and 20th Century Fox.

The story centers on a 12-year-old boy who strikes up a bizarre relationship with his misanthropic retired neighbor (Bill Murray), whose life revolves around drinking, gambling, and prostitutes. The screenplay landed on the 2011 Black List, where it received the same amount of votes as Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Jack Nicholson was previously rumored to star as the elderly neighbor before Bill Murray signed on.

Peter Chernin will produce for his Chernin Entertainment banner, alongside Don Roos. Don Cheadle and Kay Liberman are executive producing. No production schedule was given.