Elwes hops on Reitman project

Cary Elwes is hooked onto the new Ivan Reitman untitled project, previously called Friends with Benefits. He’s set to play one of the lead characters alongside Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman in the production. Reitman is set to direct from the script written by Elizabeth Meriwether. Producing the picture is Reitman under Montecito Picture Company along with Ali Bell, Jeffrey Clifford and Joe Medjuck.

Elwes plays a physician who works with Portman’s character and develops a flirtatious relationship. Project, previously known as “Friends With Benefits,” centers on the question of whether two longterm friends can have a purely sexual relationship without falling in love (Variety).

Initial filming is currently underway for the romantic comedy, locked in for a January 7th, 2011 release date. Elwes will next be appearing in the Derek Magyar directed drama Flying Lessons, set to come out sometime this year. Jigsaw’s not done with him yet as Elwes is reprising his role as Dr. Gordon in Saw VII, coming out in theaters on October 22nd in 3-D.