Owen Wilson is heading back to the big screen.
The laid-back funnyman is set to begin production on Marley & Me next month, his first professional project since his hospitalization last August.
The 39-year-old star will appear alongside Jennifer Aniston in the canine comedy, based on the bestselling memoir by John Grogan. The actors were initially slated to begin shooting the film last fall, but production was pushed back until at least the spring in order to allow Wilson time to recover from his purported suicide attempt.
The incident also resulted in Wilson pulling out of a cameo role in pal Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder. Matthew McConaughey stepped in to replace Wilson in that flick.
Marley & Me will now begin production Mar. 10. The shoot, which will take place in Miami, is expected to last through mid-May.
The film, like the book, revolves around John and Jenny Grogan, a couple who adopt a neurotic, naughty dog named Marley. Among other misdeeds, the pesky pooch steals women's undergarments, decimates jewelry and furniture and gets expelled from obedience school. He also, as it happens, teaches the duo about the true meaning of unconditional love.
"I'm thrilled they're starting production on this," Grogan told People. "It's been a long time coming and I really couldn't be happier...I read the script and I like it. I think it's really true to the book."
The author is equally as taken with the idea of being portrayed by the Hollywood heavyweight.
"I'm actually thrilled to have Owen Wilson portray me. We don't look anything alike, but I think his personality will be a great fit to my own. And my wife, Jenny, is thrilled with being played by Jennifer Aniston, and so am I. What's not to like, right?"
Movie audiences will likely decide that for themselves when the film, also starring Alan Arkin, hits theaters this Christmas.