Greta Gerwig Joins Untitled Ivan Reitman Comedy Starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher

Greta Gerwig, fresh off her well-received turn as Ben Stiller’s love interest in Greenberg, has been cast in director Ivan Reitman’s (Ghostbusters) next film. The film, previously titled Friends With Benefits, is headlined by Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher and also features Kevin Kline, Ophelia Lovibond and Ben Lawson. The plot tackles a question that has haunted mankind for centuries: Namely, is it possible for good friends to have the benefits of sex without the baggage (sometimes referred to as happiness) of love?

According to Variety, Gerwig will play Portman’s friend, a Velma character who first deduces that Kutcher’s character has developed real feelings for her friend. The comedy is set for a Jan. 7 2011 release.