Matthew Perry Lead New ODD COUPLE Pilot for CBS

Former FRIENDS star Matthew Perry is prepping to bring a modern version of Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE to CBS, according to Deadline.

Perry is set to star in, write, and executive produce the project, which was given a script commitment plus penalty. Danny Jacobson will also write.

"Ever since seeing the movie The Odd Couple when I was 10 years old, it has been a dream for me to play Oscar Madison," Perry told Dateline. "To be given the opportunity to develop a modern version of it for CBS has put a permanent smile across my face. I met up with a wonderful writing partner in Danny Jacobson. We both have such a passion for the source material that we have instantly become obsessed with making this great. Plus, I think it's time for me to be in front of a live audience again. I miss that. The search for Felix Ungar is on!"

Perry most recently starred in the NBC comedy series Go On, in which Cox made a guest appearance this past March. Perry also guest-starred in a multi-episode arc on The Good Wife and starred in, executive-produced and co-wrote the series Mr. Sunshine. Perry's additional television credits include Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip; a memorable recurring role in Sorkin's The West Wing, which earned him two Emmy nominations; and an Emmy, Golden Globe(R) and Screen Actors Guild Award(R)-nominated performance in the TNT original movie The Ron Clark Story.

On the big screen, Perry has starred in such films as 17 Again, Birds of America, Numb, The Whole Nine Yards, The Whole Ten Yards, Three to Tango, Almost Heroes, Fools Rush In and Serving Sara. In 2003, he made his stage debut in the London production of David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago, which broke the record for the largest box-office advance for a West End show at the time.

Photo by Walter McBride