After recently "separating" from long-time girlfriend Penélope Cruz, could Matthew McConaughey be jumping into his work to keep himself busy? Based on his recent two-picture deal with New Line announced last week, it certainly seems likely. According to Variety, McConaughey is set to star in the romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" and the over-the-top comedy "The Grackle." Both films will be produced by McConaughey's j.k. livin' Prods. as part of a first-look deal with the mini-major. "Ghosts" will find the Texas-born actor playing a bachelor who goes to his brother's wedding, only to be visited by ghosts of his past girlfriends (hence the title). New Line is still negotiating a deal with Disney, who developed the project for many years, to acquire the complete rights to the project, but it is expected to be in theaters by Christmas 2007. "Grackle" finds McConaughey portraying a New Orleans barroom fighter who hires himself out for $250 to settle disputes for people who can't afford a lawyer. Unlike "Ghosts," which is aiming for McConaughey's popular "Failure to Launch" audience, "Grackle" is intended as an R-rated "Wedding Crashers"-type romp. Besides keeping Penélope off his mind, the back-to-back features might also introduce McConaughey to his next off-screen love interest. He met Penélope on the set of "Sahara" in 2004.

Next column: Amy Sedaris on the long-delayed "Strangers with Candy"; Richard Linklater and the cast of "A Scanner Darkly"; and more.

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