After almost two decades of supporting roles, Jeremy Piven is ready for his close-up.

Piven is in final negotiations to star in New Line Cinema's untitled man vs. nature project being produced by Robert Simonds. Piven became a breakout performer with HBO's "Entourage," on which he plays Hollywood superagent Ari Gold -- the role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and an Emmy nomination -- and the deal will mark the first starring, above-the-title credit in his career.

In the nature project, Piven will play a smug Portland, Ore., real estate developer who accepts a challenge from his real estate mogul boss to develop a pristine forest in the hopes of being promoted to partner. He gets more than he bargained for when the area's animal residents start taking their revenge on him and wreak havoc on his every attempt to develop the land.

Josh Gilbert and Michael Carnes are penning the comedy, which was titled "Furry Vengeance."

Kent Alterman, Keith Goldberg and Michele Weiss are overseeing for New Line.

Piven, who has made a career stealing scenes in movies ranging from "Say Anything ..." to "Grosse Pointe Blank" to "Old School," is shooting Joe Carnahan's "Smoking Aces" and next appears in Scott Marshall's directorial debut, "Lucky 13."

Piven is repped by CAA and Nelson, Felker, Toczek & Davis.