Monday June 8, 03:07 PM

Neil Patrick Harris books big-screen projects

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Neil Patrick Harris has snagged two feature film roles: a starring gig in the indie farce "The Best and the Brightest" and a supporting role in "Beastly," a modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast."

Co-written and directed by Josh Shelov, "Best" revolves around a couple from Delaware who move to New York's Upper East Side and must deal with the world of the city's private kindergartens.

Harris is playing the husband, who is not worried about his social status. Bonnie Somerville is on board as the class-aware wife. Also cast are Amy Sedaris, John Hodgman, Peter Serafinowicz, Bridget Regan, Kate Mulgrew and Christopher McDonald.

Shelov, who penned "Green Street Hooligans" and created the ESPN series "Mayne Street," wrote the script with Michael Jaeger.

In CBS Films' "Beastly," Harris will play a blind tutor who helps a a teen (Alex Pettyfer) who is shellshocked from being turned into a hideous young man. Vanessa Hudgens and Mary-Kate Olsen also star in the adaptation of the Alex Finn novel, being directed by Daniel Barnz.

Harris, who hosted Sunday's Tony Awards, has been twice nominated for an Emmy for his work in the TV series "How I Met Your Mother." Both movies will be filmed during Harris' summer hiatus from the show.

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters) (please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)