SANDLER, ROGEN, MANN TO STAR IN APATOW'S NEXT DIRECTING TURN (VAR)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

Judd Apatow has enlisted Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann to star in the next comedy he'll direct. The as-yet untitled film will be a co-production of Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment, says Variety, with production to start in late summer or early fall.

Apatow, is the sole writer on the project and is keeping the plot under wraps.

The studios will split the costs with Universal distributing worldwide. Dealmaking is under way with his cast, and producing credits are still being worked out.

The troupe Apatow has thus far lined up are a trio of familiar faces. He and Sandler wrote, with Robert Smigel, "Don't Mess With the Zohan," which Sandler stars in. That film will be released by Columbia on June 6.

Rogen and Mann (Apatow�s wife) starred in his first two feature directing efforts, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up."

Further, Mann stars with Owen Wilson in "Drillbit Taylor," which Rogen co-wrote and Apatow produced.

Sandler is currently shooting the Adam Shankman-directed comedy "Bedtime Stories" for Disney, while Mann stars opposite Zac Efron in the Burr Steers-directed "17 Again" for New Line. Rogen, who lends his voice to the upcoming "Horton Hears a Who," is shooting Kevin Smith�s "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."