LOS ANGELES -- After teaming with Will Smith in the current No. 1 film at the box office, *** "Bad Boys II,"*** Martin Lawrence is shifting gears for his next project by closing a deal to star in the family comedy *** "Rage Control"*** for DreamWorks Pictures.

The project, which is out to directors, aims to go into production in January, Reuters reported.

Written by Ed Decter and John Strauss, *** "Rage"*** will star Lawrence as a legendary college basketball coach who, after a public meltdown, is forced to coach a losing junior varsity team. Decter and Strauss, who worked with *** "Rage"*** producer Robert Simonds on *** "Head Over Heels,"*** most recently penned "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" and "The Santa Clause 2."

The Robert Simonds Co. currently is in postproduction on 20th Century Fox's *** "Cheaper by the Dozen,"*** starring Steve Martin.