Ewan McGregor has just signed on to play Jim Carrey’s romantic lead in “I Love You Phillip Morris”, a dark comedy that will act as the directorial debut for “Bad Santa” screenwriters Glen Ficarra and John Requa.  The film itself if based on a true story (and book), which traces of the plight of convict Steven Russell, a married father who fell in love with his cellmate.

Russell’s love for his prisonmate, Morris, motivated his escape from prison four times.  Once by using a green pen and a bucket of water to change his prison outfit into what looked like surgical scrubs, another time by faking his death from AIDS and signing his own death certificate.  Morris eventually got out, but Russell’s escapades landed him a 144-year sentence.

McGregor and Carrey will begin working on “I Love Phillip Morris” this upcoming spring, after Jim Carrey finishes up his appearance in Robert Zemeckis’ updated “A Christmas Carol.”