Chelsea Handler gets serious for 'Mall' film role

Just when you think you have Chelsea Handler pegged...

The late night comedienne has built an empire on her quick wit and business smarts, including (but not limited to) a late night talk show, production company, best selling books and even a bit of television acting.

After taking on small film roles in "Hop" and the upcoming "This Means War," Deadline reports that Handler will explore her dark side in the film adaptation of "Mall." She will play a restless housewife in the Joe Hahn (of Linkin Park) directed film, starring alongside "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" actor Vincent D'Onofrio.

"This film will be a comment on social violence," D'Onofrio says. "It begins as a man walks through the front door of a suburban mall armed to the teeth, causing five strangers to embark on a night that will change them forever. As the bullets fly, one teenage boy hurtles through the night on a collision course with them an he will become."

Eric Bogosian penned the 2001 novel on which the film will be based.

Will Handler be able to pull off a serious role? We can't picture it yet, but we're pretty certain that the media mogul wouldn't sign on for something without a high level confidence. We're excited to see a new side of her!