Moviegoers Warned as Deadly Category-5 Romcom Takes Shape

Pointing to the box-office success of He's Just Not That Into You, a report in this morning's New York Times gathers evidence about an even bigger, more devastating romantic comedy that could make landfall at multiplexes next Valentine's Day. It's title, appropriately enough: Valentine's Day. But it's who's at the eye of the storm that may force evacuations.

New Line Cinema is said to be luring the high end of Hollywood's actress class for the project, including Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Shirley MacLaine and Jennifer Garner (with Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel thrown in for good measure). "The plot has something to do with a bunch of would-be romantics working their way through a tangle of circumstances in Los Angeles," the NYT notes, adding that a "good chunk" of the screenplay revolves around dealings at a talent agency. Ashton Kutcher is in talks as well, Bradley Cooper is attached, and perhaps most dangerous of all, Garry Marshall will direct.

The studio hopes to replicate the low-pressure system that made its long-shelved HJNTIY such a catastrophic $90 million blockbuster last February, mimicking both the narrative formula and a Feb. 12 release date that capitalizes on both Valentine's Day and President's Day weekends in quick succession. No word yet on how the lack of a bestseller's name in the title might downgrade the box-office winds, but don't wait around to see first-hand how dangerous the whole enterprise might be. Forewarned is forearmed; hopefully FEMA doesn't screw this one up.

· Hollywood Has Feb. 14 Circled in Red [NYT]