The end of the world is generally considered a pretty serious movie topic, which is why it’s usually reserved for sentimental action flicks like “2012,” “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon,” or the rare existential drama like “Melancholia.” In light of the widely exaggerated and mistranslated Mayan prediction of the upcoming apocalypse, it’s currently the perfect time to capitalize on the doomsday film market.

Since the end of humanity is as much a sure-fire tearjerker as dogs dying and children crying over things they can’t understand, it is no surprise apocalypse films aren’t traditionally comedies. Why would a studio waste a tailor-made big-budget action film plotline on a genre that would need to tread delicately in order to be successful. An action film about the end of the world doesn’t need a well-crafted script to be a box office smash, it only needs a rag-tag crew of oil riggers led by Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. However a comedy led by Steve Carell and Keira Knightley is a bit more of a risk.

The upcoming film from Focus Features, “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” follows Carell in the weeks leading up to the imminent impact of an asteroid heading for earth. A lonely Carell befriends his neighbor and embarks on a cross country journey for him to find “the one that got away” and her to see her family one last time.

The plot is intriguing, and the supporting cast which features Patton Oswalt, Rob Corddry and Connie Britton among others is also promising. The real question mark surrounds first-time director Lorene Scafaria, who wrote the screenplay for “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.” The trailer depicts Carell in his typical down on your luck, vulnerable, lonely, hilarious, yet very human, role that he probably should have trademarked by now.

Overall the trailer shows a film with a lot of potential, and judging by the trailer alone I’m looking forward to seeing the film. However, if the world doesn’t end or the conclusion is a complete and utter cop-out I will most likely despise this film with passionate disdain.