Jon Stewart is set to return to feature directing with 'Irresistible'.

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart

The former 'Daily Show' host will be at the helm of a political satire based on his own original idea, with Steve Carell said to be the favourite to star - although though financing and scheduling need to be agreed first.

Stewart will also produce the project, alongside Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment, and sources told Variety the project is in the early stages of development as financiers and distributors come on board.

It is currently unknown when production will start and details of the film have yet to be released but the project will play to the 55-year-old comedian's strengths, as he made his directorial debut with political drama 'Rosewater'.

The 2014 film followed journalist Maziar Bahari in June 2009, an Iranian-born Canadian citizen who is arrested by the Revolutionary Guard in his native country after smuggling footage of riots to the BBC - and is interrogated and tortured for 118 days.

Meanwhile, Carell, 56, may be looking at some Oscar buzz for his role as David Sheff in the upcoming drama 'Beautiful Boy'.

The film - based on the novel 'Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction' - chronicles drug addiction and recovery through the eyes of David, who watches his son Nic (Timothée Chalamet) as he battles with his addiction.

The 'Office' actor admitted that his role in the poignant movie was made more intense given that he is a father to both Elisabeth Anne, 17, and 14-year-old John.

Carell told Time magazine: "Being a dad, there's an inherent worry you have as soon as you have kids that never goes away.

"To experience them spiraling out of control with absolutely no recourse..."

"David was mourning his son while his son was still alive."