Fox Atomic hustles to 'Dance' writer

Studio picks up new Adler script

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

Adler

Fox Atomic is in talks to pick up an untitled spec script from "Save the Last Dance" scribe Duane Adler.

Mike Karz and Generate are attached to produce the project, which the youth-centric specialty unit is looking to fast track.

Like "Last Dance" and "Step Up," which Adler also penned, the untitled feature will be the music-driven tale of a forbidden teen romance.

Karz ("First Daughter") produced upcoming comedy "Good Luck Chuck" for Lionsgate and Paul Haggis' "Honeymoon With Harry" for New Line.

Purchase of Adler's pitch is one of the first for Atomic prexy of production Debbie Liebling, who began in the post in January. Last month, she snapped up comedy spec "Space Invader," with Will Arnett attached to star and produce along with Peter Principato and Paul Young via their Principato Young Entertainment shingle.

Atomic opens "The Hills Have Eyes II" on Friday. Other upcoming releases include "28 Weeks Later" and "The Comeback."