Laurie, Meester, Kunis juicing 'Oranges'? (LAT)

By Nancy Tartaglione

Hugh Laurie is reportedly in discussions to play the lead role in "Oranges," a dark dramatic comedy about an older man who has an affair with the daughter of a family friend. Also said to be circling the project, according to The Los Angeles Times' 24 Frames blog, are Leighton Meester and Mila Kunis. If Meester were to play Laurie's lover, it would be a fitting denouement to a role she had on an early episode of "House" wherein she played a girl obsessed with Laurie's curmudgeon/genius diagnostician.

24 Frames notes that the "Oranges" script, by Jay Reiss and Ian Helfer, landed at number 2 on the Black List back in 2008. Produced by Anthony Bregman, the film is being financed by Glen Basner's Film Nation and Leslie Urdang's Olympus Pictures.

Laurie, little known to mass US audiences before becoming Dr. Gregory House on the Fox TV show, has had several supporting film roles and, contrary to the LAT blog's contention that he has never carried a film, starred in UK cult favorite "Maybe Baby" opposite Joely Richardson in 2000 (ok, it wasn't a Hollywood film).

That project was written and directed by Ben Elton (with whom Laurie worked back in the "Blackadder" days) with some scenes directed by Laurie himself.

Meanwhile, both Meester and Kunis appear opposite each other in the upcoming comedy "Date Night" which stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey.