De Niro takes percentage of pal's movie

Robert DeNiro poses backstage at the 10th Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, October 23, 2006. De Niro is executive producing a dramatic comedy that will be directed by a longtime friend.

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Robert De Niro is executive producing a dramatic comedy that will be directed by a longtime friend.

"20% Fiction," from writer-director Barry Primus, centers on a respected acting coach dissatisfied with his superficial life in Los Angeles. He finds love and self-fulfillment after moving to a small town and working with its quirky residents.

Principal photography is slated to begin in late September in Los Angeles. Casting details were not available.

De Niro produced and co-starred in Primus' 1992 film, "Mistress." Primus has served as De Niro's acting coach, and they have acted together in such films as "New York, New York," "Night and the City" and "Guilty by Suspicion."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter