Jon Favreau joins Identity Thief

Jon Favreau is apparently set to join comedy Identity Thief.

The Iron Man director is in talks to star alongside Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy in Seth Gordon's upcoming film, reported Variety.

Jason is already on board to play a happily married father-of-two, with Amanda Peet as his loving wife and Jon tipped to be his boss.

Bridesmaids funnywoman Melissa is portraying a criminal who has swiped his identity.

Identity Thief - which is scheduled to start production soon for a 2013 release - will see Jon reunited with leading man Jason following Couples Retreat and filmmaker Seth, who previously directed him on Four Christmases.

Jon - who has also sat in the director's chair for Cowboys & Aliens, Elf and Iron Man 2 - is stepping out from behind the cameras with a role in Alex Kurtzman's People Like Us.

He has been busy directing the pilot for TV drama Revolution, and is preparing to direct Magic Kingdom, which would see attractions and characters at the famous theme park come to life.