Michael Clarke Duncan is in negotiations to co-star with Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder in director Todd Phillips' comedy "School for Scoundrels" for the Weinstein Co.'s Dimension Films.

Duncan would play Lesher, a cohort of Thornton's character.

Jacinda Barrett already has signed on for the project, which centers on a down-on-his-luck meter maid (Heder) who enrolls in a confidence-building class in order to woo the girl of his dreams. The class ends up being more than he bargained for when he finds out his professor (Thornton) is interested in the same girl.

Phillips, who penned the screenplay with Scot Armstrong, is producing the film with Dan Goldberg and Geyer Kosinski. Scott Budnick is co-producing. Dimension executive vp Richard Saperstein and senior vp Matthew Stein are overseeing the film for the studio.

Dimension Films declined comment.

Duncan, who most recently appeared on the big screen in "The Island," is filming the untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR comedy in North Carolina for director Adam McKay. He was nominated for an Academy Award for 1999's "The Green Mile."

Duncan is repped by the Gersh Agency, Artistry Management and attorney Jeff Frankel.

Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Tatiana Siegel reported from Los Angeles.