Marlon Wayans is grooming "Pretty Ugly" for DreamWorks Studios.

Wayans is set to develop, produce and star in the story about a handsome lifestyle mogul who wakes up hideously ugly because of a curse. As a result he must discover his inner beauty to save his company and win over the woman he loves.

The project originated at DreamWorks and then was picked up by Walt Disney Pictures. It went into turnaround and recently returned to DreamWorks where studio execs warmed to Wayans fresh take.

Wayans and DreamWorks creative exec John Fox had met on the set of Eddie Murphy's upcoming "Norbit," in which Wayans has a cameo. The two discussed the project which was the basis of "Pretty Ugly's" re-emergence at DreamWorks.

Wayans was aware of the project due to Lisa Blum, his manager at Modus Entertainment.

She and Wayans producing partner Rick Alvarez are producing with Jason Hoffs. Fox is overseeing for DreamWorks.

Sony Pictures' "Little Man," in which Wayans stars, opened to more than $20 million on its first weekend. Wayans previously donned extreme character makeup in 2004's "White Chicks" for Sony, which went on to earn more than $100 million worldwide.

In addition, Marlon and his brother Shawn wrote, directed and voiced Nickelodeon's "Thugaboo," a series of animated specials about the trials and tribulations of nine inner city kids. The first special aired on Nickelodeon on August 11th and will be available on DVD on August 29th.

Wayans is repped by WMA.