Back in February, Stephen Frears's project Lay The Favorite, based on the memoirs of Beth Raymer, was in serious trouble. Despite having both Bruce Willis and Rebecca Hall attached to star, Focus Features told him that the project needed more stars in order for it to get made. In the months since, Frears has done more than his part, adding Catherine Zeta Jones and Fringe star Joshua Jackson - and he's not done yet.

Deadline reports that Vince Vaughn has signed on to co-star in Lay The Favorite. Based on the adaptation by D.V. De Vincentis, who is teaming up with Frears for the first time since High Fidelity, Vaughn will play a Long Island bookie that Beth Raymer once worked for. Justin Timberlake was previously linked to the part, but the article doesn't mentioned why he is no longer involved. Hall will be playing the film's version of Raymer, who helps a down-on-his-luck gambler, played by Bruce Willis, "gain an edge on the Vegas sports book system." Production has already begun.

Could this be the project that finally makes Vince Vaughn respectable again after four straight years of disappointment? God, I hope so. Maybe they can get him to say, "Vegas, Baby! Vegas!" one more time.