Charlize Theron on board for Seth MacFarlane's western

"A Million Ways To Die In The West," which was announced last December, will play on all the codes of Westerns and feature quirky humor similar to Mel Brooks's "Blazing Saddles" (1974).

Screenwriter and director Seth MacFarlane will also play the lead role in the film as a jittery farmer who has been dumped by his wife. He then asks a famous outlaw's wife to help him become a shooting ace and ends up falling in love with her, thus courting danger.

"A Million Ways To Die In The West" will be an opportunity for MacFarlane to show his face on the big screen after voicing the irreverent bear in "Ted." For her part, Theron will be able to rely on her comic ability, previously seen in the series "Arrested Development" and the movie "Young Adult."

Filming on "A Million Ways To Die In The West" is due to start in May. Before that, Seth MacFarlane will present the 85th Oscars ceremony on February 24.