WB ignites 'Bomb' squad

Oedekerk, Mayfield top contenders to helm

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Lawrence

NEW YORK -- Martin Lawrence is negotiating to star in the Warner Bros. comedy "The Bomb," with $20 million on the table for the star of the comedy "The Black Knight."

"Bomb" is described as an urban take on the Blake Edwards comedy "10," in which a man goes through a series of mishaps because of his obsession with a gorgeous woman.

When Lawrence makes his deal, the studio will look to lock in a helmer quickly, with the top contenders being Steve Oedekerk, who directed "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls," and Les Mayfield, who directed Lawrence in "Blue Streak."

The film has been in development for some time with such writers as Darryl Quarles, Adam Glass, Andrew Wasser and Salvatore Stabile all taking cracks at the comedy. Quarles wrote "Black Knight" and is poised to do a rewrite of "The Bomb." Lawrence is repped by UTA and the Firm.