Steve Carell has signed on to star in the adaptation of Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel's novel Lunatics for Universal Pictures.

The story centers on two New Jersey soccer dads whose minor feud escalates to create worldwide consequences, and leave them running for their lives. Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel will adapt their novel, which will be published by Putnam in January.

Steve Carell will play Philip Horkman, the owner of a pet store who refs kids soccer games on Sundays, and there he meets an irate soccer dad who triggers the misadventures.

No production date has been set.