STEVE CARELL - STEVE CARELL DONS ARMS FOR NAPOLEONIC WARS MOVIE

Steve Carell could take the lead role in The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard, a comedy set during the Napoleonic Wars.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin star, most recently seen in spy spoof Get Smart, is in talks to play Etienne Gerard, both the bravest and stupidest soldier in Napoleon's army.

Based on a series of short stories by Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard follows Napoleon from his rise to power to his eventual exile.

Carell's character in the Media Rights Capital comedy sees himself as a gallant soldier but is far less skilled than he might believe.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the period film could fit well with the "clueless man comedy" practiced by Carell in films such as Get Smart and in his long-running and acclaimed performance as paper merchant manager Michael Scott, in the American version of The Office.

The former Daily Show correspondent is currently shooting the fifth season of the Golden Globe-winning sitcom and is considering a number of films to work on in his hiatus period next spring.

He may also work on a Get Smart sequel or pair with Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock's Tina Fey in Fox comedy Date Night.