director Tom Shadyac is in talks to take the helm.Cage is being courted to play a widower worried about what will happen to his two children if he dies. After he saves the life of his friend (Smith), a slick-talking ladies' man, the grateful pal vows to do anything to repay him. The request? Marry him.
The unusual union qualifies the firefighter's kids for insurance benefits, but the situation becomes a cause celebre. In the process, the two men form a familial bond with the children.
Landing two hot stars like Cage and Smith is an irresistible proposition for Universal. But getting them to the altar will be expensive, both in upfront salary and backend gross. Sources said none of that negotiating has yet begun.
Cage last starred in the box office weaklings ``8 MM'' and ''Snake Eyes.'' He just finished shooting ``Bringing Out the Dead'' for Martin Scorsese. Smith, coming off such hits as ''Independence Day,'' ``Men in Black'' and ``Enemy of the State,'' will next be seen in Barry Sonnenfeld's ``The Wild, Wild West.''The ``Joe and Benny'' script was written by Barry Fanaro, who co-wrote the Farrelly brothers comedy ``Kingpin'' with Mort Nathan.
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