Adam Brody to star in 'Girls'

BrodyAdam Brody is embracing his new leading-man status by taking on two new high-profile indies, including the latest film from writer-producer Neil LaBute. Brody has landed the lead in "Some Girls," a feature adaptation of LaBute's play that will be directed by Jennifer Getzinger ("Mad Men"). Story follows a successful writer who, before getting married, decides to travel across the country to meet his five ex-girlfriends in a series of hotel rooms. In addition to writing the script, LaBute will produce the pic with Leeden Media's Patty West and Chris Schwartz, as well as Andrew Carlberg. Production is skedded to start in April in Los Angeles. Thesp is also set to star in Rob Meltzer's "Welcome to the Jungle," which follows a group of staffers at a design firm who go on an office retreat to a tropical island, where total chaos erupts after they become stranded. A "Lord of the Flies"-type situation unfolds, and Brody's protag is forced to match wits with the power-hungry leader in order to rescue his co-workers. Rob Huebel, Dennis Haysbert, Kristen Schaal and Jean-Claude Van Damme will co-star in the Pimienta production, which starts shooting next month in Puerto Rico. U.K.-based The Salt Company is financing the Jeff Kauffmann-scripted pic, which will be produced by National Lampoon exec Justin Kanew and Pimienta's Luillo Ruiz ("The Men Who Stare at Goats"). Charley Cabrera will co-produce, while Alex Goldstone will exec produce with The Salt Co.'s Robert Bevan, Samantha Horley and Cyril Margret. Best known for playing nerdy teen Seth Cohen on "The OC," Brody has been working to shed that image of late, taking on a series of supporting roles in challenging indie fare. He just signed on to play "Deep Throat" star Harry Reems opposite Amanda Seyfried in "Lovelace" and stars in Whit Stillman's "Damsels in Distress," which Sony Classics opens April 6. This year is shaping up to be a big one for Brody, who co-stars in last year's Toronto Film Festival entry "The Oranges," the Kristin Wiig-Oscar Isaac indie "Revenge for Jolly" and Focus Features' "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," which stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley. Brody is repped by UTA. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com