Stephen Merchant signs on for 'Hall Pass'

Stephen Merchant has signed on for the upcoming Farrelly brothers' comedy Hall Pass.

The Office creator joins a cast that already includes Owen Wilson, Jason Sudelkis, Amanda Bynes, Jenna Fischer and, most recently, Curb Your Enthusiasm actor JB Smoove.

The film features two central characters, married friends, whose wives offer them the opportunity to spice up their relationships with extramarital affairs. The only problem is that the wives grant themselves the same pass.

Merchant and Smoove are to play the friends of the central pair.

The film, which was written by Peter and Bobby Farrelly along with Pete Jones and Kevin Barnett, will debut in US theatres in 2011.