AceShowbiz -

Turns out that generating laughs can also cost big. The Los Angeles Times has revealed yesterday, October 9 that Universal's upcoming comedic flick "Evan Almighty" is likely to exceed at least $175 million - $250 million in budget, including for marketing expenses, making the project the most expensive comedy in history if the calculation is proven right.

Acknowledging the tremendous rising cost, the studio execs, on the other hand, are still optimistic that the picture will eventually score a much greater profit for the company, even considering it to be "a great bet" as said by Universal Chairman Marc Shmuger.

In the meantime, the newspaper has quoted unnamed sources as blaming the overruns on the studio's aim to launch the film during the holiday season in December. In reaching the purpose, film crew then was forced to shoot scenes during a rainy period which caused an 11-day production delay. What's more, the use of hundreds of animals also gave more delays since predators like lions and tigers had to be separated from monkeys and giraffes.