Natalie Portman to Star In, Produce Stoner Road Trip Comedy “Best Buds”

Natalie Portman to Star In, Produce Stoner Road Trip Comedy “Best Buds”

By our guest blogger, Tim Strain

Natalie Portman recently announced that she will be starring in and producing “Best Buds,” a road trip comedy highly influenced by a certain green substance. Pajiba reports that Portman’s production company, Handsomecharlie Films, is currently looking for a director to helm the original screenplay by Jamie Denbo.

This is another new venture for Portman, one of the most exciting and generally likable screen presences working. She recently finished shooting on David Gordon Green’s second stoner comedy “Your Highness” (after “Pineapple Express”), Darren Aronofsky’s ballet drama “Black Swan,” and “Hesher,” in which she headlines co-stars with Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and also produces. She will also be producing/starring in the David O. Russell-directed “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” the zombie-infused Jane Austen homage that has become something of a cult classic the past few years. Quite a diverse filmography.

“Best Buds” will see Portman play one of "two best female friends who take a road trip to their friend’s wedding in order to save her by bringing her weed." The plot seems a little thin, but then again, so does just about every stoner comedy on paper. Pajiba reports that the script is in the vein of “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” and “Half Baked.” With a star as big and generally well-liked as Portman, expect this to become as popular as the aforementioned films.

Portman is currently filming Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor” and will quickly move to “Zombies” after it wraps. I expect “Best Buds” sadly will not hit theaters until 2012.