Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures presents a David Ladd Films production of A Guy Thing, a comedy starring Jason Lee, Julia Stiles, Selma Blair, James Brolin, Shawn Hatosy, Lochlyn Munro, and Julie Hagerty. Directed by Chris Koch, the screenplay is by Greg Glienna & Pete Schwaba and Matt Tarses & Bill Wrubel, the story by Greg Glienna. A Guy Thing was produced by David Ladd and David Nicksay. The talented roster of filmmakers includes director of photography Robbie Greenberg, production designer Dan Davis, film editor David Moritz, costume designer Pamela Withers, music supervisor Maureen Crowe, and composer Mark Mothersbaugh.

A few years ago, producer David Ladd was looking for a smart, fun comedy he could develop and produce through his deal with MGM Pictures. He knew he'd found his next project when he received a script from writer Greg Glienna called A Guy Thing. Glienna had written the hit film Meet the Parents. Ladd says, "I felt very lucky to be able to get his next effort.

"I took it to MGM," he continues, "and the studio immediately responded with the same enthusiasm."

Explaining his affinity for the material, Ladd says, "I really respond to character-driven pieces, whether it's comedy, drama, action or horror. In this story, Paul's character is put through the wringer, and his choices and misadventures drive the action. Becky and Karen's reactions then spin it in different directions. All three characters are very well defined, and that's what makes the comedy so strong. There's a broad feeling to the comedy in many places, but the cast's conviction and strength as actors keep it based in reality and make the comedy even funnier. The audience enjoys seeing what's happening to them, and can't wait to find what's going to happen next."

Once MGM was on board, screenwriters Greg Glienna & Pete Schwaba and Matt Tarses & Bill Wrubel worked to sharpen the story and further define the characters. The writers' combined efforts helped to streamline the action and punch up the humor and wit. "We wrote and rewrote until we got to the point where everybody was happy with the script," says Ladd. "We wanted to make sure we were completely confident in the material before we shot one frame of film."

In searching for a director, Ladd was happy to discover that Chris Koch, who previously directed the family comedy Snow Day, was interested in the project. "Chris is truly a funny man," says Ladd, "and we were thrilled to have him come aboard. He literally wakes up in the morning thinking comedy, and I've actually never known anyone like that."

Upon reading A Guy Thing, Koch was immediately enthusiastic and interested in directing. "I first read the script almost a year ago on an airplane," says Koch. "I liked it so much I used my credit card to make one of those eight-dollar airplane phone calls to my agent to say, 'Get me on this movie.'

"The script really got me," he continues, "because the 'moment to moment' beats are so funny. I felt it was all relevant to real life, to the kinds of things people actually go through. It was also really poignant and seemed to nail a lot of the 'guy moments' I remember experiencing myself when I was getting married."

"What we all decided," Ladd elaborates, "is that Jason Lee's character, Paul, is a guy who had gotten on the conveyor belt of life and is willing to just do the expected thing instead of taking chances and truly living his life."

"Paul's a guy who's just going through the motions," continues Koch. "He's got the girl; he's got the job. Everything is according to plan. But he's also on autopilot, just watching his life unfold, and he's not quite comfortable with that. That's a theme the audience can identify with. When you get married or go through a big life change, you are theoretically seeing what the rest of your life may be. It can be scary."

Producer David Nicksay was brought in to handle the day-to-day aspects of production. "Nicksay and I had been trying to work together for quite a while," says Ladd. "He brings a lot to the table, and our duties and responsibilities cross quite a bit."

Explaining his attraction to the project, Nicksay says, "The script was so funny and such an accurate reflection of people in real-life, I embraced it immediately. Also, Chris Koch is one of the most talented comedy directors going. I instantly responded to his vision and point of view."

In casting A Guy Thing, the filmmakers secured an exciting trio of young, talented performers as their leads: Jason Lee, Julia Stiles, and Selma Blair. For his part, Jason Lee jumped at the chance to play Paul. He says he was impressed with Koch's interpretation of the story because it seemed original and different. "I was really encouraged when I met Chris," Lee says. "He said, 'Believe me, this is going to be different. We're going to make it more realistic, add some sincerity to it, and make a fresh, atypical romantic comedy.'

"What I also liked," continues Lee, "was the idea of being able to concentrate on the reality of the situations and the subtle comedy within that."

Stiles says she was drawn to the project on the strength of the writing as well as her desire to explore a new genre. "I really wanted to do a comedy," she says, "but most comedies aren't well-written. As I was reading this script, however, I couldn't put it down. I was laughing hysterically. Comedy is really different and difficult and it's something that I'm still trying to figure out, so I figured every day would be a great challenge."

Stiles also felt she could relate to the story. "Everybody's had the experience of being caught in a lie," she says, "a lie they had to keep exaggerating and keep going. I thought that was a great premise for a movie."

Selma Blair, who plays Karen in the film, was impressed with the chemistry that developed between the players at such an early stage of the production. "We had a few days of rehearsals," she says, "and by the second day we just were cracking up all the time. I knew it was going to be good, really good. I was so happy."

And in filling out the ensemble cast, an impressive collection of supporting players was assembled, from David Koechner and Julie Hagerty to James Brolin, Diana Scarwid, Thomas Lennon, Shawn Hatosy and Jackie Burroughs. The filmmakers were thrilled with their luck in filling the roles. "If you cast well," says Ladd, "you tell a story that much better and have a better chance of making a successful film. We paid very meticulous attention to casting, and we're very proud of the end result."

"If these parts come out of who these people are, if we allow them to play characters that come very naturally to them, then I have to do less directing," says Koch. "That's why we spent considerable time getting wonderful actors. We also wanted players who could improv well. When that works, it gives the comedy a great feeling of spontaneity."