Posted: Tue., Aug. 23, 2005, 9:00pm PT

A 'Guy' thing for Par

Studio sets scribe for romantic laffer sequel

By Dave McNary

Durk

A correction was made to this article on Aug. 24, 2005.

Paramount has tapped producer-turned-writer Julie Durk to script the romantic comedy "How to Tell He's Not the One in 10 Days," the sequel to "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," for producers Lynda Obst and Christine Peters.

Durk's deal is her first as a writer following stints as president of Shuler-Donner and Deep River Prods. She had producer credits on "The Honeymooners" and "Laws of Attraction" and exec produced "You've Got Mail."

Studio's keeping the logline under wraps and aims to be in production by spring.

Obst told Daily Variety the project's being developed as a vehicle for "How to Lose a Guy" stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.

Par's seeking to repeat the success of the 2003 pic, produced by Obst, Peters and Robert Evans and based on the book of the same name by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long. Original, directed by Donald Petrie, grossed over $105 million domestically

Senior VP Michelle Raimo and Elizabeth Raposo are shepherding for Paramount; Peters' president of production Bradford W. Smith and Obst's exec VP Michael Nash are overseeing for the shingles.

Peters launched development of the sequel last year by optioning the follow-up "How to Tell He's Not the One in 10 Days (and Other Warning Signs)," also by Alexander and Long.