Broderick eyes 'Election'

By ANDREW HINDES

Matthew Broderick is in advanced talks to star in MTV Films' dark high school comedy "Election."

Broderick will play a teacher who advises a trio of students running for school president. The role has been described as "Ferris Bueller grown up and getting his comeuppance."

The film, which will be distributed worldwide by Paramount, is skedded for a fall production start.

"Election" will be directed by Alexander Payne, who made his feature directorial debut on Miramax's "Citizen Ruth." It was written by Payne and "Ruth" co-writer Jim Taylor.

The producers are Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, MTV Films president David Gale and former Rysher CEO Keith Samples. Jim Burke and MTV Prods.' Van Toffler are exec producing.

Broderick recently wrapped production on TriStar's summer 1998 release "Godzilla." He last starred in Warner Bros.' romantic comedy "Addicted to Love," which opened last May.

Broderick's deal was negotiated by manager Erwin Stoff at 3 Arts Entertainment and CAA's Brian Lourd.

"Election" will be the second live-action feature to come out of MTV Films' first-look deal at Paramount, following the Alan Cohn-helmed "Dead Man on Campus" which is currently set for a March release.

MTV's first picture for Paramount, the animated "Beavis and Butt-head Do America," grossed $62 million domestically after its release last Christmas.

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