Dimension Films scares up ‘Superhero’

Dimension Films has nearly maxed out its successful “Scary Movie” series, so now the studio takes on another franchise-friendly genre: the comic-book movie. “Superhero,” the studio’s newest spoof, starts production this week in Los Angeles and is set to open March 28.

It’s written and directed by Craig Mazin, known for his work on “Scary Movie 3” and “Scary Movie 4.” David Zucker and Robert K. Weiss are producing.

An ensemble cast is topped by a master of the spoof genre, Leslie Nielsen, and also includes Jeffrey Tambor of “Arrested Development,” Drake Bell of Nickelodeon’s “Drake and Josh,” and Sara Paxton, Christopher McDonald, Kevin Hart, Ryan Hansen, Brent Spiner and “Happy Days” mom Marion Ross.

“Craig and David are comedic geniuses,” Weinstein Co. co-founder Bob Weinstein said in a statement released Wednesday. “With this great script and this talented team, we are confident that this will launch another franchise for us.” Dimension Films is a division of the Weinstein Co.

The “Scary Movie” franchise, launched in 2000, has grossed more than $800 million worldwide, according to the online service Box Office Mojo.