Sean Penn is in talks to join <i>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</i>Sean Penn is in talks to star in the 20th Century Fox remake The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which Ben Stiller will direct and star in as the title character.

The story centers on Walter Mitty, a mild-mannered photo manager who sets off on a quest to find a missing negative. Sean Penn will play a photographer, in what has been described as a small but crucial role. Kristen Wiig, Patton Oswalt, Adam Scott, and Shirley MacLaine are also attached to star.

Ben Stiller will direct from a screenplay by Steve Conrad. The project will be a modern-day remake of the 1947 classic The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which starred Danny Kaye.

Production is currently under way, although it isn't clear when Fox plans to release the dramatic comedy.