Diane Keaton anddirector Gillian Armstrong are attached to team up on Gold Circle Films'romantic comedy Because I Said So, marking the first time the pair will have collaborated on filmsince the 1984 drama Mrs Soffel.

Joe Drake'sMandate Pictures will begin selling international rights at Cannes under itssales arrangement with Gold Circle. It is not yet clear whether UniversalPictures will handle the title in the US under its first-look deal with GoldCircle.

Based on ascreenplay by Karen Leigh Hopkins, Because I Said So will star Keaton as an overly protectivemother who goes to extreme lengths to marry off her eldest daughter.

Gold Circle hasfully financed the project and company president Paul Brooks will produce withJessie Nelson. The parties hope to begin production later this year.

"Paul always has his finger on the pulse of romanticcomedy," Drake told Screendaily. "From his involvement with My Big Fat GreekWedding to this year's TheWedding Date, he has consistently provedhis instinct and knowledge of the genre and we anticipate healthy business atCannes."

Hopkins' previous screenwriting credits include Stepmom and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael.

Drake added hewas receiving a torrent of interest in Zach Helm's Mr Magorium's WonderEmporium, which is fullyfunded by Mandate and will star Natalie Portman. The male lead is currently outto casting.