Leslie Mann Joins 'I Love You Phillip Morris'

Before I get started, I just wanted to say that anyone who was undecided as to whether or not Knocked Up was sexist, probably wasn't really paying too close attention to Leslie Mann's performance. Mann's portrayal of a woman forced into being the bad cop because her husband isn't into the whole 'grown up' thing was one of the best things about that film. Now she's heading for another 'wronged wife' role, and The Hollywood Reporter announced that Mann has joined the cast of I Love You, Phillip Morris.

Phillip Morris is based on the true life story of Steven Russell (as played by Jim Carrey). Russell was a married family man whose criminal exploits landed him in the Texas prison system. While incarcerated, Russell fell in love with his cell mate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). After Morris' release, Russell concocted a variety of bizarre escape attempts in hopes of reuniting with the love of his life.


The film is based on the book by Steve Mcvicker, a Houston Chronicle reporter who first broke the strange story of Steven Russell. Luc Besson will produce the movie, which has been described as "Catch Me if You Can meets Brokeback Mountain". Bad Santa scribes Glenn Ficarra and John Requa adapted Mcvicker's book and are also taking on directing duties. Mann (who is married to Judd Apatow) will be starring in his yet-to-be-titled Adam Sandler flick, as well as the teen comedy Seventeen Again with Zac Efron (High School Musical) later this year. I Love You Phillip Morris is expected to start production later this month and should arrive in theaters in 2009.