Creators of "Harold & Kumar" Working On New Comedy "Stan"

By Jay A. Fernandez

Josh Friedlander has sold his original comedy screenplay "One Night Stan" to Lionsgate. "Harold & Kumar" creators Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are set to direct.

"Stan" plays out a scenario about which many men fantasize on the cusp of marriage. When Stan learns his fiancee, Julie, has had more sexual partners than he, he gets her blessing for one night to play catch-up. Unfortunately, his plans for a sex buffet don't come together quite the way he had hoped.

Peter Principato, Paul Young and Matt Berenson of Principato Young Entertainment are producing with Mike Karz of Karz Entertainment. Josie Rosen of Karz brought the script to Lionsgate and will executive produce.

Lionsgate has not strayed often into comedy territory and rarely has done well with it -- unless it has Tyler Perry's name in the title. Post-"Hangover," though, concept is king, especially if it offers a big canvas for raunchy, R-rated fun with under-the-radar talent.

Friedlander, repped by ICM and Imprint Entertainment, wrote the script "Pictures of You," which landed on the 2007 Black List of most liked screenplays. He is developing the comedy "Camp Morningwood," with McG producing, and recently worked on the script for "The Art of Cool" at Sony.

Hurwitz and Schlossberg, repped by CAA and Principato Young, wrote and directed "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay." They have written and will direct " 'Til Beth Do Us Part" for Warner Bros., and their comedy script "Grandma vs. Grandma" is set up at Paramount.

Principato Young, which executive produces Comedy Central's "Reno 911!" also is producing "Beth" and has "For Richer or Poorer" in development at Warners, "Bot" at Fox and "The Bender" at New Line.