Ferrell's a Soccer Dad Gone Bad in 'Kicking'

Think of him as a soccer dad gone bad — Will Ferrell (search) makes the transition from caring, new-age father to maniacal coach in this weekend's "Kicking and Screaming" (search).

Due to circumstances beyond his control, Ferrell's character is forced to coach his son's soccer team. He knows he needs help, so he hires former Chicago Bears football coach Mike Ditka (search) to lend a hand.

"It's kind of a family comedy — about myself, Robert Duvall (search), who plays my kind of overbearing sports father, and I've kind of had to live under his oppressive thumb. And then I start coaching myself and kind of somewhat turn into him," Ferrell, 37, told FOX News.

As a soccer player, Ferrell is a great comic actor — or so said some of the actor's fellow cast members.

"Talented guy, with taste," Oscar-winner Duvall said of Ferrell at the movie's premiere earlier this month. "Not like a lot of comedians hitting you over the head, trying to make you laugh all the time. He's very subtle about things."

"Kicking & Screaming" is expected to enjoy modest box-office success, as it's the only family-targeted film to be released between now and "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," which opens next weekend.

About a month later, Ferrell will return to the screen with Nicole Kidman (search) in a big-screen comedy inspired by the beloved '60s sitcom, "Bewitched." The movie is directed by Nora Ephron.

"I think it's gonna be really exciting," said Ferrell, who noted he has seen only a couple of "Bewitched" scenes. "You know, it's a whole different premise from the television show," he said. "So it kind of encapsulates enough from the TV show, but then it's not exactly what you think it's going to be."

To promote "Kicking and Screaming," Ferrell will host "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, his first appearance since leaving "SNL" in 2002 after seven seasons as a cast member.

FOX News' Mike Waco and William La Jeunesse and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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