Wednesday July 1, 06:24 PM

Applegate, Day ready to go the 'Distance'

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Charlie Day, one of the stars and creators of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and Christina Applegate have joined Drew Barrymore and Justin Long in the romantic comedy "Going the Distance."

Nanette Burstein ("American Teen") is directing the New Line project.

The story by first-time scribe Geoff LaTulippe follows a couple (Barrymore and Long) as they try to maintain a long-distance relationship. Day will play Long's best friend, and Applegate is cast as Barrymore's sister.

Day writes and executive produces as well as acts in "Philadelphia" with Glenn Howerton and Rob McElhenney.

Applegate stars in the recently canceled ABC sitcom "Samantha Who?," whose last episodes air this summer. On the big screen, she last appeared in "The Rocker" and next lends her voice to "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel."

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