Extra Man

The Extra Man is a 1999 comedic novel by Jonathan Ames.

In January of 2009, a film version for the book was announced and was currently in production with a cast starring Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, John C. Reilly and Katie Holmes. Producer Springer Berman stated, This is a film for our times, these hilarious characters living on the edge of enormous wealth, scrapping for small pieces of the pie. I suspect a lot of people will be able to identify nowadays.Variety.com: Kline, Dano, Holmes join Extra Man (January 19, 2009)

The Extra Man tells the story of a sexually confused young playwright who is tutored by an older, failed playwright. The eccentric older man makes a living as an escort or an "extra man" for elderly, rich women on the East Side of New York City. After the unlikely pair move in together, the older man becomes a mentor, instructing the young man on the quirks and scams to get ahead in the big city. The young playwright takes advantage of his newly found social freedom by experimenting with cross-dressing and indulging in the world of New York's transvestite scene.Cinematical: Kline + Dano + Holmes + Reilly= The Extra Man (January 20, 2009)