Garner joins 'Juno' cast

Reitman directing Cody-penned script

By DAVE MCNARY

Jennifer Garner will topline coming-of-age comedy "Juno" opposite Ellen Page, with Jason Reitman ("Thank You for Smoking") directing.

Production is expected to begin mid-February in Vancouver. Mandate Pictures is producing with John Malkovich's Mr. Mudd Prods. and Reitman's shingle Hard C.

Diablo Cody penned the script, centered on a teenager faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Garner will portray the hopeful adoptive mother. Michael Cera ("Arrested Development") also stars.

Producers are Mason Novick ("Red Eye"), Malkovich and his producing partners Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Mandate's Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane are exec producing with Dan Dubiecki, Reitman's producing partner at Hard C. Jim Miller, who brought the project into Mandate, will co-produce.

Garner soon will be seen in Sony's "Catch and Release" and in Universal's "The Kingdom."