Ferrell spoofs telenovelas in 'Casa'

Will Ferrell has made us laugh in English, now he's going to see if he can do the same in Spanish. The "Saturday Night Live" veteran stars in the telenovela send-up, "Casa de Mi Padre," one of the most anticipated comedies playing SXSW in March.

Though the language is new to him, Ferrell has brought along a group of actors who are no stranger to Spanish. Mexican co-stars Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna appeared together in 2001's Oscar-nominated "Y Tu Mama, Tambien." Luna plays the brother of Ferrell's Armando Alvarez, who is fighting to defend his family's ranch from a drug lord portrayed by Bernal. Genesis Rodriguez, who appeared in more than 100 episodes of the telenovela "Prisionera," brings sultriness and credibility to the comedic melodrama as Ferrell's love interest.

Likely unable to improvise in a foreign language, Ferrell will rely on the script from fellow "SNL" veteran Andrew Steele. "SNL" alumnus Matt Piedmont directs the movie that will open across the country on March 16.

— Matthew Odam