McGregor to play Carrey's lover in film

Ewan McGregor has signed up to star opposite Jim Carrey as his lover in forthcoming movie I Love You Phillip Morris.

Carrey is to play a con artist who is sent to prison where he falls in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (McGregor) in the film based on a true story.

In the movie Morris's character is freed from jail, while Carrey's character Steven Russell is sentenced to a total of 144 years behind bars after he tries to escape four times.

Bad Santa writers Glen Ficarra and John Requa are to write and direct the film, which will start shooting early next year.