Universal Pictures and Working Title have acquired John Hamburg'scomedy thriller screenplay The Troubleshooter.

The screenplay is based on a story by Hamburg and MarkShanahan, and Hamburg will direct and produce along with Working Title's TimBevan and Eric Fellner. Plot details were being kept under wraps yesterday.

The filmmaker has had a longstanding relationship with UniversalPictures, having directed and written Along Came Polly and co-written Meet The Parents and Meet The Fockers, and co-written Zoolander.

Universal's president of production Jon Gordon willoversee the project on behalf of the studio, and Working Title's US productionchief Liza Chasin will oversee for the company.

Hamburg is represented by Endeavor and attorney John Sloss.