Par thirsts for 'Worst'

Studio comes out on top at auction for laffer script

By DAVE MCNARY

Paramount has snapped up comedy pitch "The Worst Man" from the scripting team of Michael Carnes and Josh Gilbert for $1 million against $2 million and set up the project with Mosaic Media principal Jimmy Miller.

Par outbid several studios in an auction conducted by WMA, which concluded Tuesday night. Story centers on a prospective groom who's forced to select a best man among his three best friends.

Par co-prexy of production Alli Shearmur and exec VP Brian Witten will oversee the project.

Deal is the second this year at Par for Carnes and Gilbert, who sold the studio romantic comedy "Stalker: A Love Story." Owen Wilson's attached to "Stalker"; Prospect Pictures principals Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin and Marcos Siega are producing and Jason Barhydt co-produces.

Carnes and Gilbert teamed on penning "Mr. Woodcock" for New Line, which just wrapped, and sold New Line the comedy spec "Furry Vengeance." They also sold Par a "Life Coach" pitch which has been set up with Sean Daniel.

Alex Ankeles brought the project into Mosaic.