Thu Jun 13, 2:26 AM ET

Popular Garner 'Going on 30'

by Zorianna Kit

LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Rising starlet? Try catapulting star. "Alias" television actress Jennifer Garner, a virtual unknown one year ago, is in negotiations to earn in the neighborhood of $3 million to star in Revolution Studios' "13 Going on 30."

No helmer is attached to the project, though Garner is said to have director approval on the film, which is expected to go into production next year while the actress is on hiatus from her ABC series, which begins its second season in the fall.

Written by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, the project is described as a female "Big." It's about a 13-year-old girl who dreams of being popular. During her birthday party, she engages in a party game called Seven Minutes in the Closet. It turns out to be a humiliating experience for her, and she refuses to come out of the closet and be subjected to more embarrassment. When she eventually does emerge, she finds herself five days shy of her 30th birthday, looking fabulous and extremely popular.

Susan Arnold and Donna Arkoff Roth are producing the project with the writers' manager, Gina Matthews.

Garner, who won a best actress Golden Globe this year for "Alias," has suddenly found herself emerging as a top choice for projects around town, landing a near-$1 million payday to star opposite Ben Affleck in 20th Century Fox/Regency Enterprises' "Daredevil," now in production. Additionally, Steven Spielberg handpicked Garner for a role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in DreamWorks' "Catch Me If You Can" (HR 2/28).

Garner is repped by Endeavor and attorney Jason Sloane.

© The Hollywood Reporter 2002

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