Reese Witherspoon to enter the "Pharm" business

Reese Witherspoon and Universal are partnering up to make a comedy that throws Witherspoon into yet another uncharted territory – the pharmaceutical business.

According to an article on HollywoodReporter.com, "The studio is developing 'Pharm Girl,' an aspirational comedy centering on one woman's odyssey through the drug industry.'"

The scribes behind the 2003 Billy Bob Thornton comedy, "Bad Santa," are writing the screenplay and may direct. Meanwhile, Witherspoon is producing the film under her Type A banner.

The HollywoodReporter.com article summarizes the film's plot, "The project centers on a woman (Witherspoon) who gets a job at a pharma powerhouse but begins to see the underbelly of the industry as she rises through the company's ranks. Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing for the studio."

The pharmaceutical industry is no stranger to being portrayed in past Hollywood motion pictures as an underhanded and felonious business. Some examples include the 1993 Harrison Ford drama, "The Fugitive," and the industry's villainous ways were also the focal point of the 2005 Ralph Fiennes/Rachel Weisz thriller, "The Constant Gardner."

Meanwhile, Witherspoon's star has continued to rise in Hollywood as she has starred in hit comedies like 1999's "Election" as well as 2001's "Legally Blonde" and its 2003 sequel, "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde." Yet, she has also shown audiences her keen ability to handle more dramatic roles. This was proven when in 2005 she won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of June Carter in the biopic of singer Johnny Cash's life, entitled "Walk the Line."

But, Witherspoon isn't drawing the line at only acting. She produced and starred in the 2008 Vince Vaughn comedy, "Four Christmases," and she and her Type A banner are on tap to produce two films for Universal, the thriller, "Bell Witch," as well as the comedy, "Around the World in 80 Dates."