Justin Timberlake is set to play the male lead in Bad Teacher, an R-rated comedy starring his ex-girlfriend Cameron Diaz. ”SNL” veteran Molly Shannon and “Modern Family” actor Eric Stonestreet have also joined the cast.
Diaz plays a foul-mouthed gold-digger and seventh-grade teacher who reluctantly returns to the school after being dumped by her sugar daddy. She soon vies for the affections of a substitute (Timberlake) who is the heir to a watch fortune, but already dating her wholesome rival (Lucy Punch).
The pop singer-turned-actor beat out several other big names for the part. ”The Office” star John Krasinski was “in the mix,” but he’s also shortlisted for Captain America at the same time. Read into that all you want, but to me that means he will definitely play the superhero instead (no it doesn’t). Also up for the sub teacher were Guy Pearce, Joel McHale, Timothy Olyphant, Adam Scott, and “30 Rock” actor Cheyenne Jackson.
The Hollywood Reporter article makes no mention of Shannon’s role, but presumably she’ll fill the part of Lynn, an easily manipulated colleague and ally of Diaz’s. Stonestreet will likely play another middle school teacher.
Previously announced were Jason Segel as the gym teacher (a small role) and John Michael Higgins as the principal who has a strange fascination with dolphins. The very funny script was written by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg (“The Office”, Year One, Ghostbusters 3).
Production starts this month in Los Angeles.
