Russell Brand has signed up to appear in a new family comedy movie called The Hauntrepreneur.

In it he plays a peculiar character who creates a haunted house to help a family adjust to life a new town.

The casting follows his decision to drop out of the Hollywood remake of the old BBC children’s sitcom Rentaghost, another supernatural family comedy.

No director is yet on board the Hauntrepreneur film, which is being scripted by Con Air writer Scott Rosenberg. The tone of the film is being likened to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.