According to Vulture, mega-producer Scott Rudin is setting up an adaptation of John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, A Confederacy of Dunces, with Zach Galifianakis attached to star. The Muppets director James Bobin is also in talks to direct the film, from a script by Cedar Rapids scribe Phil Johnston.

Vulture is reporting the news, which would bring the film to Paramount Pictures through Rudin’s clout in the industry, bringing in comedic power players such as Galifianakis and Bobin.

For those unfamiliar with the story, here’s a rather abstract synopsis:

Set in New Orleans, A confederacy of Dunces outswifts Swift, one of whose essays gives the book its title. As its characters burst into life, they leave the region and literature forever changed by their presence-Ignatius [J. Reilly] and his mother; Miss Trixie, the octogenarian assistant accountant at Levi Pants; inept, wan Patrolman Mancuso; Darlene, the Bourbon Street stripper with a penchant for poultry; Jones the jivecat in spaceage dark glasses.

As anyone familiar with the film’s difficult journey to the screen thus far will attest to, you’ll have to take this news with a grain of salt. Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) initially attempted to adapt A Confederacy of Dunces in 1982, and it ultimately fell through, as Ramis’ intended Ignatius J. Reilly, John Belushi, tragically overdosed during pre-production. Several attempts to bring the novel to the screen over the years have also fallen by the wayside, up until today’s news.

Taken with a grain of salt, this is certainly exciting news for any fan of Dunces, as we’ll be sure to follow this one closely as it moves towards production. Are you excited as well?