Emma Stone and “Zombieland” co-star Woody Harrelson will attempt to battle romantic comedy cliches as opposed to zombies in the upcoming “Friends With Benefits.” The two are set to join Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, in the film about a headhunter (Timberlake) who recruits an editor (Kunis) to run a men’s magazine, with the two eventually agreeing to sleep together with no strings attached. Of course, things get complicated when the guy falls for the girl, who’s dating someone else. And Harrelson won’t be the only familiar face for Stone, as she will once again be directed by Will Gluck, who helmed “Easy A.”
Andy Samberg, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman and Richard Jenkins have also joined, rounding out the strong cast and getting things in place for the production that is to begin in New York and Los Angeles next month. And what NYC-based film would be complete without an appearance from a New York Yankee? Alex Rodriguez, third baseman for the Yankees, is reportedly in negotiations for a small role in the film. No word if A-Rod will play himself or a parody of himself, but with the flick filming in NYC it seems it would be easy to set his his shooting schedule around his home run schedule.
Gluck provided rewrites for David Newman and Keith Merryman’s script, and will direct the Screen Gems produced film, which is slated for a 2011 release date. With a very funny cast, and now possibly a bonafide New York Yankee, it seems that “Friends With Benefits” might be the romantic comedy we have all been waiting for — a funny one.
