Jenkins, Whitford lured to "Cabin in the Woods"

Actor Richard Jenkins arrives for the premiere of his new film 'North Country' in Hollywood October 10, 2005.

LOS ANGELES/PARK CITY, Utah (Hollywood Reporter) - Actors Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford are moving to "The Cabin in the Woods."

Jenkins is on board and Whitford in final negotiations to star in the mystery-shrouded MGM/United Artists horror project written by "Lost" collaborators Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard.

Much like the feature "Cloverfield," which Goddard scripted, the "Cabin" story line provides a new twist on a classic scenario -- in this case, the young-people-stranded-in-the-woods horror trope.

"It's really just your basic typecasting: When you need two actors to run through the woods in low-cut nighties, you immediately think of Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford," Goddard joked.

Whedon said the casting signals what kind of movie they are hoping to make. "They're the first proof that though 'The Cabin in the Woods' is a classic horror film, it isn't one you've seen before."

The studio and filmmakers were loath to provide character details, but it is understood that Jenkins and Whitford will play white-collar co-workers with a mysterious connection to the cabin.

Goddard is directing the film, which is scheduled for a February 5, 2010, release.

Jenkins is riding high on his Screem Actors Guild and Film Independent Spirit awards nominations for "The Visitor." He recently was seen in "Burn After Reading" and "Step Brothers."

Whitford, who starred on the series "The West Wing" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," most recently appeared on the big screen in "Bottle Shock" and "An American Crime."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter