After previously being in extended talks to play the villainous Count Olaf of Netflix’s upcoming A Series of Unfortunate Events adaptation, it is now officially confirmed that How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris is set to twirl his mustache, cackle, and attempt to kidnap some orphans. All in a day’s work. Olaf, previously portrayed by Jim Carrey in the 2004 film adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s 13-part book series. The children’s series, which centers on Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire’s attempts to make sense of their parents’ deaths in a fire while constantly staying out of the clutches of their dastardly Count Olaf. In the books, a series of quirky or otherwise curious guardians passes the orphans from home to home with Olaf on their tail and a constant mystery surrounding their inheritance and past.
Patrick Warburton, a veteran of many TV comedies like Family Guy and Rules of Engagement as well as cult classic The Tick and the classic animated romp The Emperor’s New Groove, has signed on to the series as Lemony Snicket. Snicket, the author and narrator of the book series, is a pen name for writer Daniel Handler. No word yet on whether Warburton’s embodiment of Snicket will include him introducing every episode like he’s Robert Osborne on Turner Classic Movies or simply providing voiceover, but his instantly recognizable voice will be shepherding the story along in one way or another. Malina Weissman from Supergirl and rookie Louis Hynes will play Violet and Klaus, respectively, but a premiere date is still up in the air.
(via Entertainment Weekly)
