Julia Roberts to star in and produce new comedy

Robert Kirchgassner

Actress Julia Roberts is set to return to the comedy genre as the star and producer of an upcoming film.

The film, entitled Second Act, is currently being developed by Fox, New Regency and the actresss production company, Red Om. It will star Roberts as a woman who is forced to enter the work environment, despite having no prior employment. She will produce the movie with Trudie Styler, Lisa Gillan and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.

A director and writer have yet to be attached to the project.

Her previous film, the comedy-drama Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks, was a surprising box-office disappointment. She won an Oscar for her performance as the title character in the comedy-drama, Erin Brockovich (2000).

Robertss next film is the non-comedic role of the Evil Queen in the Snow White film, Mirror, Mirror. It is set for release in March. The film coincides with the release of another film about Snow White, Snow White and the Huntsman, in which Charlize Theron plays the queen. Therons take on the character is said to be less flamboyant than Robertss.

Another film on Robertss plate is August: Osage Country, in which she and Meryl Streep will play a daughter and mother, respectively.