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Posted: Wed., Jan. 28, 2009, 5:46pm PT

Fox Atomic nabs 'Sitter' spec

Gatewood-Tanaka script sparked bidding war

Michael De Luca

De Luca

Fox Atomic has snapped up comedy spec "The Sitter" by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka.

Script, described as a cross between "Superbad" and "Adventures in Babysitting," sparked a heated bidding war Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Paramount seemed to have the advantage, but infighting between Vantage and the parent studio may have torpedoed the studio's efforts. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura was attached to one of the Par bids.

Instead, Michael De Luca is producing for Atomic.

Michael De Luca Prods.' Josh Bratman will serve in some producing capacity. Bryan Haas brought the script into the shingle.

De Luca's upcoming films include the Jim Sheridan drama "Brothers." He has several projects in development around town including "Moneyball" at Columbia Pictures, with Brad Pitt attached to star.

Gatewood and Tanaka have been cranking out a number of teen-themed comedy scripts in recent years. They have the college romp "Who the Hell Is Sanjay Patel?" in development at Universal.

Jeff Arkuss is overseeing development at the youth-centric Atomic label, which has the Megan Fox starrer "Jennifer's Body" in the can.

Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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