Ryan Reynolds is R.I.P.D

Ryan Reynolds really is becoming the go-to guy for heroic roles these days – hard to believe he first came to our attention with the decidedly unheroic Van Wilder .

Collider report that the actor has signed on to star in the film adap of graphic novel R.I.P.D . (Rest In Peace Department).

Producer Neal Moritz describes the plot of the movie thus:

“It’s about two cops, one recently dead, and a gunslinger who’s been dead for hundreds of years who work on the Rest in Peace department - which is the police department of the dead.

“And they basically…it takes place on a normal day and it’s about trying to keep the dead quiet.”

Awesomeness. Filming is reportedly set to commence in January 2011, and they’re aiming for a PG-13 rating. Moritz calls it a “terrific script. Great buddy comedy. Buddy action/comedy.” No word yet on Reynolds' sparring partner.

As well as R.I.P.D ., Moritz will be working with Reynolds on director David Dobkin’s comedy The Change-Up , which he says is “definitely R-rated”.

What’s it about?

“Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds basically end up switching bodies,” says Moritz. “And it’s a really funny high concept comedy directed by David Dobkin obviously who did Wedding Crashers . And written by Lucas Moore who wrote Hangover .”

Lensing on that flick is to start in October, though Moritz notes that R.I.P.D. is the one that really has Reynolds stoked.

Think Reynolds is as perfect for this as we do?