Annette Bening close to 'He Loves Me' role

Annette Bening is reportedly close to joining Paul Dano in the new indie comedy He Loves Me.

According to Variety, Bening is in final negotiations to join the project, the first from husband and wife directing duo Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris since their Academy Award-nominated debut Little Miss Sunshine back in 2006.

The film will star Dano as a previously brilliant novelist called Calvin who is suffering from crippling writer's block due to his loneliness.

Dano's real-life girlfriend Zoe Kazan, who also penned the film's screenplay, will play his dream girl who comes to life to help him feel inspired again.

Bening is believed to be in line to play Calvin's painter mother Gertrude, who becomes suspicious of her son's new relationship.

He Loves Me will be Bening's first project since her Academy Award-nominated turn in last year's The Kids Are Alright.