Sources caution that deals are not done, but Media Rights Capital -- the company that backed Ted when few others would -- is behind the offbeat comedy, and Scott Stuber, who was a producer on Ted with MacFarlane, also will join the Western.

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The plot has been described as a Blazing Saddles-style movie -- meaning a Western with contemporary humor, with one undercurrent being just how dangerous and painful life really was in the late 1800s.

The script, said to be laced with MacFarlane’s hallmark racy humor, also calls for a romantic female lead.

Ted, the Family Guy creator's live-action directorial debut, was a surprise hit this past summer, grossing $501 million worldwide. The movie was made for around $50 million. A sequel to Ted is the works but is still in early development, and MacFarlane has shown a willingness to create original works. While Ted was distributed by Universal, A Million Ways to Die has not secured distribution.

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MacFarlane also will host the Oscars in February, introducing himself to legions of Americans who only know his animated creations.

MacFarlane, Sulkin and Wild are repped by WME. MacFarlane is additionally repped by Jackoway Tyerman.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com

Twitter: @Borys_Kit