Ricky Gervais to direct his first film

Ricky Gervais, star of The Office and Extras, is to direct his first film. According to Variety he is to co-direct and co-write This Side of the Truth with Matt Robinson. Gervais also has the starring role.

This Side of the Truth is a fantasy movie set in the modern world. However, in this version, no-one has ever lied. Gervais said: "My character works in the film industry, where actors are really readers who tell completely factual stories. My character's a loser who's about to lose his job, and who's lumbering through the 1300s. All he's got to work with is the Black Death. But once he lies and pretends he's found lost stories, he becomes the greatest storyteller in the world."

Gervais is currently working on the Christmas special of Extras, which will guest star, amongst others, John Travolta and David Tennant.