July 26 2006

Joe Gazzam has sold his spec script “Straight and Narrow” to New Regency. The crime drama follows a guy who’s forced to perform a complicated caper by his fiancée’s father. Ralph Winter and Circle of Confusion will produce. 7/26

Bill Lawrence has been tapped to write and direct the silver screen version of Gregory Mcdonald’s novel “Fletch Won!” by The Weinstein Co. The mystery-comedy follows the protagonist’s salad days as a slacker and irreverent cub reporter as he and a colleague solve a murder. Lawrence is the show-runner for “Scrubs” so Zach Braff is in his sights to play the lead. David List will produce. 7/26

Lacey Chabert, Brooke Nevin, James Le Gros, Enrico Colantoni and Michael Shulman have signed on to star in “Sherman’s Way” for Starry Night Entertainment. Written by Thomas Nance, the comedy is set in the wine-growing Napa Valley region and follows an odd couple romance between a male ex-Olympic athlete-turned-epicurean and a younger pre-law Yale coed. The film is being directed by Craig Saavedra, who is also producing with Shulman. 7/26

Jason Reitman has been hired to direct “Juno” for Mandate Pictures. Diablo Cody wrote the dark comedy about the hard choices that a pregnant teen has to make regarding her unborn child. Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith and John Malkovich (Mr. Mudd) are producing, while Dan Dubiecki, Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane will executive produce. 7/26

Wallace Shawn, Alexander Chaplin, Heather Bucha, Ben Schwartz, Chris Klein, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jamie-Lynn Sigler are in final talks to star in “New York Serenade” for Archer Entertainment. Written and to be directed by Frank Whaley, the bittersweet comedy revolves around two guy friends who realize that in order to grow up, they have to grow apart. Rachel Peters and Jim Jones are producing. 7/26