The trades report that Alexander Payne, director of “Sideways,” will produce the comedy in which Helms will play a down-on-his-luck insurance salesman who goes to an industry convention to try to save the jobs of his colleagues.

Shooting of the Phil Johnston-penned script is set to begin this October.

Fox Searchlight is expected to win distribution rights over a slew of other vying companies.  The company also distributed Payne’s “Sideways.”

Along with Payne, Jim Burke and Jim Taylor will produce through their Ad Hominem Enterprises, with Helms exec. producing.

Arteta most recent project was the comedy, “Youth in Revolt.”

Helms and writing partner, Jake Fleisher, are currently working on an untitled Civil War comedy for Warner Bros. in which Helms will likely star.  His, “The Office” co-star, Steve Carell, is set to produce through his Carousel banner.