Zooey Deschanel destined for "Highness"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Zooey Deschanel, one of the stars of the soon-to-be-released "(500) Days of Summer," is joining the cast of the fantasy comedy "Your Highness."

"Highness," written by Ben Best and Danny McBride, centers on an arrogant, lazy prince (McBride) who must complete a quest to save his father's kingdom. Joining him on the quest is his more heroic brother (James Franco). Deschanel plays Belladonna, Franco's virginal bride.

Natalie Portman plays McBride's love interest, a warrior princess.

Director David Gordon Green ("Pineapple Express") begins shooting the Universal release this month in Northern Ireland.

Deschanel plays the title character in "Summer," which opens next week. The romance, which also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, has been generating hipster buzz since its unveiling at Sundance.

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)