The Departed actress, Vera Farmiga, will star opposite George Clooney in Jason Reitman's Up in the Air for Paramount Pictures and Montecito.

The story centers on a human resources exec whose only joy in life comes from the prospect of notching his millionth frequent-flyer mile, a goal he pursues with zeal as the rest of his life falls apart because he is constantly on the road.

According to Variety, Farmiga will play a businesswoman who develops a romantic relationship with Clooney's character through meetings in airports and hotels around the country.

Reitman adapted the screenplay from Walter Kirn's novel of the same name. Project had been developed at DreamWorks but became a Par-led project after DreamWorks exited the Melrose studio in September. "Up in the Air" is one of the dozens of DreamWorks-developed pics being overseen at Par by former DreamWorks prexy of production Adam Goodman.

Shooting starts in late February in St. Louis, Miami and Las Vegas.