Thandie Newton will star opposite Will Smith in the incorrectly spelled "The Pursuit of Happyness" for Columbia Pictures and director Gabriele Muccino, says Variety.

Written by Steve Conrad, "Happyness" is about "a marginally employed salesman who gains custody of his young son just as he is about to begin a stock brokerage internship program. While in the program, he and his son must live in a homeless shelter and endure many hardships as they pursue their dream of success."

Mr. Smith plays the salesman; Ms. Newton his estranged wife. "Pursuit" production gets underway within a few weeks; release is scheduled for the first half of next year.