Posted: Fri., Jun. 18, 2010, 4:00am PT

Universal acquires pitch from Schwartz

Studio imagines film based on Grazer concept

By Tatiana Siegel

Schwartz

Grazer

Universal Pictures has acquired the pitch "Would You Rather" from writer/actor Ben Schwartz.

Project is based on an idea by Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer, who will also produce.

Studio is keeping the logline under wraps, but the idea is something Grazer and Schwartz have been working on together for several months.

Universal's Peter Cramer will oversee the project for the studio.

As a thesp, Schwartz has lined up a number of projects recently, including a starring role in JJ Abrams' upcoming NBC series "Undercovers." He also wrote and will star in a segment on the upcoming season of HBO's "Funny or Die Presents" titled "Terrible Decisions With Ben Schwartz."

As a scribe, he won an Emmy last year for co-writing Hugh Jackman's opening number for the 81st Academy Awards.

In addition to his work in film and TV, Schwartz has penned two comedic books, "Why Is Daddy in a Dress?: Asking Awkward Questions With Baby Animals" and "Grandma's Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals."

He is repped by WME and Tom Sawyer Entertainment.