Kline, Dano, Holmes join 'Extra Man'

Springer Berman, Pulcini to co-direct comedy

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly are set to star in "The Extra Man," a comedy that will begin production in February in New York.

Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini ("American Splendor") will direct.

The film is based on a novel by Jonathan Ames; Pulcini and Springer Berman wrote the script with the author. The duo last directed "The Nanny Diaries."

Kline plays a failed playwright who works as an escort for rich widows on the Upper East Side. He develops a mentor-student relationship with a troubled aspiring playwright (Dano).

Likely Story's Anthony Bregman and Stephanie Davis of 3 Arts will produce. Stefanie Azpiazu, Ames, Pulcini and Springer Berman will be executive producers and Rebecca Rivo will be co-producer.

"This is a film for our times, these hilarious characters living on the edge of enormous wealth, scrapping for small pieces of the pie," Bregman said. "I suspect a lot of people will be able to identify nowadays."

CAA and Anonymous Content brokered the production financing deal for Likely Story ("Synedoche, New York") and 3 Arts, and will rep the film's North American distribution rights.