There can only be one Friends With Benefits!

Well, that’s not what the movie gods are saying but that’s certainly what the studios have been barking at one another for awhile. Ivan Reitman’s latest directorial project was called Friends With Benefits (previously entitled Fuckbuddies). Nothing wrong with that, right? That’s until you also add in that Screen Gems’ other upcoming picture is called Friends With Benefits. Now you definitely see the problem here.

After a bunch of complaining and tugging, it looks like Paramount has ceased fire with Screen Gems in order to capture the title. Now, only the Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake co-starring feature is entitled Friends With Benefits while Ivan Reitman’s untitled romantic comedy is just that, no title at the moment. At least now there’s not going to be any more confusion as to which production we’re talking about.

But wait a minute, isn’t there an NBC sitcom that’s coming out called Friends with Benefits? Why yes there is, and so the great debacle of lack of creativity in titles continues on. Here’s a snippet more of this ongoing ‘battle’ of sorts (via EW).:

An NBC spokesperson tells EW.com that the series title is locked and they are expecting the feature to change its name. Screen Gems contends that due to its production schedule, they don’t expect an issue to arise.

At this point it’s highly doubtful that Friends With Benefits will go straight to the NBC sitcom, mainly due to the fact that the Will Gluck directed film will start principal photography this July. Then again, when you think about it, what’s with the sudden fascination for ‘friends with benefits’ centered story lines? Is everyone in Hollywood finally opening embracing something that probably sticks throughout the town like a bad rash? Possibly, but let’s see if audiences are ready to see that kind of stuff on the big and small screen in full force next year.