Marisa Tomei to romance Hugh Grant in Marc Lawrence's untitled comedy

Long one of the most likable actresses around, Marisa Tomei has far too often been overlooked as a credible leading lady. Never was quite sure why, but part of me thinks she's always been held back by the undeserved surprise Oscar she won for My Cousin Vinny all those years. She's improved greatly in the years since, but has mostly been relegated to shining in supporting roles.

The Wrap reports she'll be tackling the female lead opposite Hugh Grant in his upcoming romantic comedy, to be directed by Marc Lawrence. We first learned about the project last month, marking the fourth collaboration between Lawrence and Grant, with all of their previous flicks as box office hits. The untitled film follows a washed up award-winning screenwriter who's forced to take a job teaching at a small East Coast college, where he's fortunate enough to meet and fall in love with a single mom played by Tomei.

Sounds potentially horrible, but it has to be better than where we'll see Tomei next. She'll co-star with Bette Midler and Billy Crystal in the family comedy, Parental Guidance, which opens next month.