Grace
Scott
Paramount Pictures has snapped up "Cockblockers," plunking down $1.2 million against $1.8 million amid competition for the comedy pitch.
Seann William Scott and Topher Grace will star in the project, which drew strong interest from Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Sony.
Purchase comes as Par has recently said it is committed to comedies.
Story centers on a new couple with one problem: The woman's ex-boyfriend keeps blocking the advances of her new beau. Scott will play the menacing ex, with Grace set as the new love.
While specifics of the producer deals are still being finalized at the studio, Scott is expected to produce with partner Graham Larson through the duo's Identity Films along with Grace, marking the actor's first outing as a producer.
Scott and Larson had been shepherding a "Cockblockers" project for some time, only to learn that Coolidge and principals at management-production outfit H2F Entertainment had one of their own. They combined their development and then plucked Grace to star alongside Scott before taking it out to studios Wednesday.
Also aboard for producing chores are H2F partners Walter Hamada and Chris Fenton. Sony-based producer Michael De Luca is also expected to produce in some capacity.
Paramount will likely roll out the film through MTV Films. Par's Alli Shearmur and Dan Levine are shepherding the project.
Scott most recently lensed "Mr. Woodcock" for New Line Cinema. Grace has committed to "Spider-Man 3" and "MySpace." Coolidge wrote and will direct the indie "Employee of the Month."
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