Mmm, Smells Like Timberlake

02/22/2008 8:00 AM, E! Online


Justin Timberlake is bringing smelly—and, possibly, polyester pants—back.

The pop star has become the latest spokesceleb to lend his visage to hawk designer goods, signing on to front a new men's fragrance for Parfums Givenchy.

He will begin appearing in print ads for the as yet unnamed eau de Timberlake in June, while the actual scent won't be made available until October. Internationally, the cologne will launch in early 2009.

"Beyond his immense international notoriety, we chose Justin Timberlake because he's a true trendsetter who has redefined modern elegance," Parfums Givenchy's president, Alain Lorenzo, said Thursday by way of confirming the booking.

The 27-year-old, who's no stranger to the world of luxury goods, having launched his own clothing line, William Rast, in 2005, can consider himself in good company in fronting the designer brand. Liv Tyler is the perfume maker's other current celebrity face, having fronted their Very Irresistible Givenchy fragrance since 2003.

In addition to delivering his best "Blue Steel" for Givenchy's upcoming campaign, Timberlake is set to take another stab at big-screen glory, something which, save for an animated turn in Shrek the Third, has so far eluded him.

Production kicked off Tuesday in Hammond, Louisiana, on The Open Road, a baseball-based dramedy in which Timberlake stars.

Timberlake, whose credits include Blake Snake Moan and Alpha Dog, is set to play Carlton Garrett, a fictional member of the Corpus Christi Hooks minor league team.

The role will require Timberlake to stretch both his regular and athletic muscles: His character struggles to reconnect with his legendary athlete father, played by Jeff Bridges, while en route to the bedside of his ailing mother, played by Mary Steenburgen.

Kate Mara, who previously appeared in 24 and We Are Marshall, is also in the film as Timberlake's love interest.

A release date has not yet been set.