Thus was announced this morning by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and execs from Columbia Pictures. No title has been revealed (IMDB lists only "Untitled James L. Brooks Project"), but with Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, and Paul Rudd inked and Brooks directing, sure sounds like a romcom!

Oh yeah, and there will be summer jobs for kids!

From the press release:

The production will bring several qualified DC students on board in conjunction with the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program and the Centralized College Internship Program, providing on-the-job training in film industry functions such as production, locations, art, and accounting.

...The film, slated to spend 14 weeks in pre-production, principal photography, and post-production in the District this summer, will hire over 100 local crew and several hundred local extras. This unique partnership between the District and Columbia Pictures is one of many initiatives aimed at expanding the city’s base of qualified film professionals to serve the growing film industry in Washington, DC.

...The film is written and directed by James L. Brooks and produced by Brooks, Paula Weinstein, Laurence Mark and Julie Ansell. Brooks added, “I had the privilege of filming Broadcast News in the DC area, and no matter how long or hard the day was, on my drive home, I could always look forward to the beauty of the city. It is, to me, the great city of the world. I couldn’t be more excited to be able to work here once more. I am especially grateful to the Mayor and his Film Commission for doing the heavy lifting in allowing us to come.”

UPDATE, 1:10 P.M.: Some more (unreliable) info from the IMDB comments: "the movie is called, "How Do You Know?" and the quick synopsis is..Rudd will play the part of a businessman vying for Witherspoon's affections, while Wilson is slated for the role of a professional baseball pitcher out to steal her heart." Another says "Looks like it will be a baseball movie...Reports today says Owen Wilson was sitting in the Texas Rangers bullpen during their spring training against the Colorado Rockies."

I was wearily zipping through the DVR'd show last night, stopping to catch only the movie-related awards or whenever something particularly ridiculous seemed to be going on.

(Most amusing were the "shout-outs" that appeared in the corner of the screen while anointed ones were walking to the stage, such as this comment about Reese Witherspoon from one Eve from Philadelphia: "She's an amazing actor and she's really smart!")

But then, at the very end, flaming batwings appeared behind Queen Latifah and The Dark Knight lovefest began.

Because the Christopher Nolan blockbuster won every category it was nominated for -- five of them, including Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, Favorite Cast, Favorite Superhero, and Favorite On-Screen Matchup -- the PC overlords decided to just give the film its own segment to cap the ceremony, labeling the honor The Most Ludicrously Incredible Movie the People's Choice Voters and Producers Have Ever Seen, or something akin.

Considering the bulk of the show was devoted to lauding huh? movies such as 21, Eagle Eye, and The Secret Life of Bees (all rather odd noms for Favorite Drama), the celebration was a refreshing moment of...well, taste.

But what really got to me is when a smattering of TDK's cast and crew, including Christian Bale and Nolan, took the stage. They, as well as everyone watching, had to be thinking the same thing; the group seemed more somber than pleased.

And I realized that instead of feeling thrilled that the person who truly elevated the film will continue to get his due over the coming months, the reminder that Heath Ledger isn't around to accept the praise himself just made me sad all over again.

Damn you, People's Choice Awards! Next year, stick to honoring stuff like Paul Blart: Mall Cop so I don't have to pretend I got popcorn salt in my eye.