Russell Brand is to play a "sexy hippie" in The President Stole My Girlfriend. The British comedy actor will produce and star in the forthcoming comedy, written by Matt Portenoy, which was option by his company Branded Films.

Warner Bros. is working on the film, which Brand jokes was inspired by a meeting he had with the studio's president. "In this movie, the president steals the girlfriend of a sexy hippie - me, obviously. It was inspired by the night I naively invited Warners president Jeff Robinov for dinner."

Despite being a relative newcomer in Hollywood, Brand has had moderates success with a remake of Arthur starring Dame Helen Mirren and comedy Get Him to the Greek with Jonah Hill. He will next be seen in musical Rock of Ages, which features an all-star cast including Tom Cruise and Mary J. Blige, and an untitled comedy about God and faith.