Damon Wayans Jr. has had a streak of luck when it come to his TV roles, landing supporting turns on both “Happy Endings” and “New Girl,” and having then to choose between the two successful shows. Now he’s set his gaze upon the film world, and his first outing finds him paired with a familiar face from his Fox days.
Deadline reports that Wayans Jr. — who featured in the pilot of “New Girl” before moving on — will co-star with “New Girl”‘s Jake Johnson in the buddy comedy “Let’s Be Cops” for 20th Century Fox. Luke Greenfield (“The Girl Next Door”) will direct the film that follows two bored friends who decide to impersonate police officers, but reassess their life decisions when they find themselves involved with a dangerous gangster. Greenfield also wrote the film — based on a pitch he gave to the studio — with his partner, Nick Thomas.
Containing a premise so rote and uninspired that it almost evaporates upon hearing it, the plus side is that these two talented comic actors could easily elevate the proceedings. Casting is underway nonetheless, so we’ll see if Greenfield can pull something decent from the premise, as he’s shown he can do at least once before. Because, really, who thought the movie about a porn star who moves in next door to a teenager would’ve been as slyly charming as it was? Fingers crossed on this one.