John Krasinski is close to signing on the the 1920's football romantic comedy, Leatherheads for Universal Pictures.

He'll star opposite George Clooney and Renee Zellweger in the film that centers on team owner Jimmy 'Dodge' Connelly (Clooney). According to The Hollywood Reporter, he hires straight-laced college football sensation Carter Rutherford (to be played by Krasinski) to play professionally; the scandalous sport becomes popular and commercialized, and confirmed bachelor Dodge falls for Carter's reluctant fiancee, Lexi (Zellweger).

Clooney has written the script, directing the film, and is also serving as producer on Leatherheads that's scheduled to begin shooting in the spring.