Reese Witherspoon proves a "Pharm Girl'" at heart

Actress Reese Witherspoon, who gives voice to Ginormica in the movie, poses at the premiere of ''Monsters vs. Aliens'' at the Gibson amphitheatre in Universal City, California, March 22, 2009.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Reese Witherspoon is going into the pharmaceutical business with Universal Pictures.

The studio is developing "Pharm Girl," an aspirational comedy centering on one woman's odyssey through the drug industry.

"Bad Santa" screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa are writing the screenplay and in talks to direct. Witherspoon is producing via her Type A banner and will play the lead role.

The project concerns a woman who gets a job at a pharmaceutical powerhouse and begins to see the underbelly of the industry as she rises through the company's ranks.

The modern pharmaceutical industry has played a villainous role in a number of Hollywood pics, among them "The Fugitive." Several years ago it was at the center of a conspiracy in the thriller "The Constant Gardener."

Witherspoon, who came to prominence in comedies like "Election" and "Legally Blonde," segued to a more dramatic role with her Oscar-winning turn in "Walk the Line." But she has kept the focus on comedies, starring opposite Vince Vaughn in "Four Christmases" and signing on to a new comedy from director James Brooks.

Ficarra and Requa wrote and directed the comedy-drama "I Love You Phillip Morris," which stars Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor in the story of the romance between a con artist and a man he meets in prison.