By Sandra Varner | SPECIAL TO SACOBSERVER.COM

Funnyman Anthony Anderson stars in his first leading role as Malcolm King, in New Line's April 22 release "King's Ransom."

Regina Hall (left) and Anthony Anderson star in New Line's "King's Ransom" which plays nationwide April 22.

King is an ambitious, successful and wealthy businessman with an estranged and embittered wife, Renee, played by Oakland's Kellita Smith of "The Bernie Mac Show." King is out to get his money along with several of King’s disgruntled employees and envy mongers.

Resigned to keep his hard earned fortune, King concocts a scheme to have himself kidnapped but unbeknownst to him, the others are also planning to kidnap the arrogant and adulterous money hoarder for a hefty ransom.

The film is directed by Jeff Byrd ("Final Breakdown" 2002). Ransom’s costars include: Donald Faison (NBC's "Scrubs," "Clueless" 1995), Jay Mohr ("Are We There Yet?" 2005, NBC's "Last Comic Standing"), Charlie Murphy (Comedy Central's "Chappelle's Show," "CB4" 1993), Loretta Devine ("Waiting to Exhale" 1995, FOX’s "Boston Public"), and Nicole Ari Parker (UPN's "Second Time Around," "Brown Sugar" 2002).

Byrd, in his feature film debut, says he feels really blessed to have had a host of comedic heavyweights in the cast of "King’s Ransom."

“Anthony (Anderson) signed on first and everything and everyone else fell into place,” Byrd said, and so chimed in Anderson’s co-stars Smith, Hall and Faison during roundtable talks about the movie.

According to the film’s production notes, Anderson admits that his character is “a bit of a jerk,” but adds that it was one of the things that made the character Malcolm King fun to play.

“I get to wear his arrogance as a badge of honor and this is what this character is all about,” Anderson said during a Los Angeles interview.

“I’ve been waiting for a role such as this one for a very long time and this project provided an opportunity to bring in several people that I’ve worked with over the years,” Anderson said.

Byrd affirmed that Anderson was at the center of gravity pulling this film together packaging a veritable “Dream Team” of comedic actors to work with. Asked if he were to design his own “Dream Team” cast Byrd said it would be Morgan Freeman, Mos Def, Idris Elba and Wood Harris (the latter two of HBO’s "The Wire"). But, his dream project is to tell the Arthur Ashe story: the first prominent African American male tennis champion who died of AIDS at the hand of an infected needle from a blood transfusion. Moving away from the serious nature of storytelling, Byrd likens his comic sensibilities to old school comedy and physical antics, professing his admiration of Buster Keaton and the “I Love Lucy Show,” starring Lucille Ball, America’s female comedienne extraordinaire.

Hall’s performance in "King’s Ransom" could be likened to a Lucille Ball approach to comedy, very physical and whimsical. Playing the role of Peaches, Malcolm King’s ditzy mistress, Hall has worked alongside Anderson in 2003's "Malibu’s Most Wanted" and the "Scary Movie" franchise.

Hall is adept at delivering memorable “one-liners” and is fashioning an impressive portfolio including her upcoming role as Trixie Norton in the anticipated remake of "The Honeymooners" starring Cedric the Entertainer, Gabrielle Union and Mike Epps. I talked to Hall about her role in "King’s Ransom" and her expanding career.

Sandra Varner: Your name is being mentioned among Hollywood insiders and decision makers for consideration in several roles. How were you cast in this movie?

Regina Hall: My agent sent the script over to me. Actually, I thought I had gotten another role in a different movie but didn’t … I got this one! And I’d worked with Anthony in several movies before. I mean … I didn’t sleep with anyone to get it (laughter).

SV: Who did you use as motivation for Peaches the character you play in this movie?

RH: Jeff (Byrd) kinda told me what he wanted. He wanted her (Peaches) to be likable but clueless and very sexual in a feminine way and not too overt. Then I watched Some Like It Hot and old Marilyn Monroe films to help define this character.

SV: You have a great way of “packaging one-liners” that linger long past the run of the film. Is this something that you are aware of?

RH: No, but thank you very much. I never thought of it that way.

SV: The character in this movie takes office sexuality to a new dimension. Was this by design and written into the script or was this your interpretation of the role?

RH: When you try to be sexy it doesn’t work. Peaches is sexy by nature. She can’t do office work so she compensates in other ways.

SV: Do you see yourself as a comedian or as a comic actress?

RH: I see myself as an actress who does comedy because I don’t have a comedic background. That’s not to say I’m not a funny person but I’ve never done stand up. I approach this character like I do all the rest, as if it’s a dramatic role and hope for the best.