Universal has prime 'Chuck'
Sandler, James to wed at U
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The two are near a deal to take the title roles in the long-developed gay marriage laffer "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."
David Dobkin, who directed "The Wedding Crashers," is aboard to helm from a script penned by Alexander Payne and James Taylor.
Concept is "La Cage aux Folles" in reverse: Two straight firefighters pose as a gay married couple in order to qualify for their department's domestic partner benefits.
Producing are Shady Acres' Tom Shadyac, who was once considering helming the pic himself with Nicolas Cage and Will Smith, and then Smith and James Gandolfini, starring. Also producing are Michael Bostick and Happy Madison's Jack Giarraputo.
Lew Gallo wrote the pic's original treatment, and a long line of scribes have weighed in since, but Payne and Taylor turned in the latest draft.
U production prexy Donna Langley, senior VP Holly Bario and creative exec Regina Lee oversee the project.
Sandler would tackle "Chuck and Larry" after he wraps "Reign O'er Me," a Sony drama about a widower grieving over the loss of his family in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Production on that pic, written and to be directed by Mike Binder, is set to get under way this spring.
Sony's Sandler starrer "Click" is skedded for release June 23.
James has been building a film career, starring with Smith in "Hitch" and doing voice work in Paramount toon "Barnyard," due out in October.
In addition to "Wedding Crashers," Dobkin directed "Shanghai Knights" and "Clay Pigeons."
