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Emmy Award- Winning Sean Hayes is set to play Larry in Peter and Bobby Farrelly's feature film version of "The Three Stooges."

Hayes beat out Sean Penn for the role, Us Magazine reports. He will be joining "MADtv's" Will Sasso, who will play Curly, in the slapstick comedy based on the 1930s vaudeville act.

"Thanks, everyone. I've been honored with the chance to play an iconic member of The Three Stooges. I will make it as funny as I can," Hayes Tweeted Monday.

The former "Will and Grace" star is certainly familiar with humor, but some critics are already noting that he does not look much like the character he is set to portray.

"It's nothing a good wig can't fix," notes Yahoo Movies blogger Will Leitch.

Sean Penn, Jim Carrey, Benicio del Toro and Paul Giamatti have all been reportedly attached to the film.

The Farrelly brothers are planning for a mid-April start for the project, Entertainment Weekly reports, which would mean that a casting decision on the pivotal role of Moe may be close at hand.

The project has been in development since 1996.

Hayes last appeared on the big screen alongside Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in 2007's "The Bucket List." He also lent his voice to the 2010 kids feature "Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore."

The Farrelly brothers recently released "Hall Pass," starring Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis. The brothers are also known for the hit movies"Dumb and Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary."

The brotherly duo will be working with Twentieth Century Fox to produce "The Three Stooges," set to hit theaters in 2012, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The original trio was Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard, who was later replaced by younger brother, Curly. Shemp Howard later returned to reprise his role after Curly suffered a stroke in 1946.