Anna Kendrick is "Up in the Air"

[J_UNTITLED]

From The Hollywood Reporter...

"Talk about upping your profile.

Anna Kendrick, who has a small part in "Twilight" as one of Kristen Stewart's human friends, has nabbed the coveted female lead in Paramount's "Up in the Air," opposite George Clooney.

"Juno" director Jason Reitman has adapted the comedy from Walter Kirn's 2001 novel. Reitman also will direct for Montecito Picture Co., the Paramount production shingle of Reitman's father Ivan.

Nearly every young actress agreed to read for the part, including Ellen Page and Emily Blunt. But Kendrick apparently nailed the audition for a young woman who finds herself pulled into the orbit of a "career transition counselor" (i.e. professional firer) careening through the airless world of business travel.

The "Up" project originally was developed by DreamWorks before it separated from Paramount in September. The Melrose Avenue studio held on to Montecito, which also has "I Love You, Man" and "Stargirl" in development with former DreamWorks production president Adam Goodman overseeing for Paramount.

Montecito's Reitman, Joe Medjuck, Tom Pollock and Jeff Clifford are producing the project along with Jason Reitman, his Hard C producing partner Dan Dubiecki and writer Ted Griffin.

Kendrick, repped by APA and Online Talent Group, has roles in the upcoming Paramount Vantage comedy "The Marc Pease Experience" and the thriller "Elsewhere." She also starred in "Rocket Science" in 2007."