The long-mooted US remake of hit French comedy Intouchables is nearing realisation, as reports suggest Patch Adams director Tom Shadyac is to sign up to the project.

The story of a rich quadriplegic man (played by François Cluzet) who hires an African immigrant (Omar Sy) as a carer, Intouchables – released in English-language territories as Untouchable – became the highest grossing non-English language film ever with $426.6m (£283.7m) in worldwide receipts. Only $10.2m of this was in North America, making it a perfect candidate for a reworking – the remake rights were bought along with US distribution by the Weinstein Company.

According to Deadline, the remake has been scripted by Bridesmaids' Paul Feig and is the story of "an aristocrat who, after being paralysed in a hang-gliding accident, hires a young man from the projects to be his caretaker". Feig was originally down to direct, but has since pulled out. Colin Firth is leading the chase for the lead role.

Shadyac, who had a string of comedy hits, beginning with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in 1994, has not directed a feature film since 2007's Evan Almighty. His 2010 documentary, I Am, outlined how head injuries sustained in a cycling accident crystallised a rejection of materialism and a desire to "stop the hypocrisy", which resulted in him curtailing his Hollywood career and giving away much of his wealth.