LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Scrubs" star Zach Braff will follow up his "Garden State" directing debut with a remake of the 2002 Danish film "Open Hearts," which revolves around two couples whose lives become intertwined after a car crash.

Braff will adapt, direct, produce and co-star in the romantic drama for Paramount Pictures. The studio beat out Fox Searchlight and the Weinstein Co. in what insiders described as an intense bidding war.

Ever since "Garden State" was acquired at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival by Searchlight and Miramax Films, Braff has enjoyed solid relationships with the Fox specialty label and Miramax co-founder Harvey Weinstein. But Braff ultimately was swayed by the opportunity to reunite with Paramount's Pam Abdy, who produced "Garden State."

Braff is set to play one of the lead roles. The original film was directed by Susanne Bier, who co-wrote with Anders Thomas Jensen.

Paramount is eyeing a summer shoot to coincide with Braff's hiatus from NBC's "Scrubs." Braff is scouting locations in New Jersey, where he shot "Garden State."

Braff's work on "Garden State" yielded an Independent Spirit Award for best first feature, a Grammy for best soundtrack, and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter