Patrick Dempsey likes 'Racing in the Rain'

Patrick Dempsey is in early talks to star in Universal Pictures' big screen adaptation of Garth Stein's best-selling book "The Art of Racing in the Rain."

The story follows a family dog that's got a near-human soul and reflects on its life via the lessons it learns from its owner, a race-car driver named Denny Swift (Dempsey).

Variety says Dempsey is an avid racer (I wasn't aware of that), so I guess he's a good fit for the role. No writer or director seems to be attached to the project yet, but Neal H. Moritz is set to produce.

As for Dempsey, the "Grey's Anatomy" star recently apapred in "Made of Honor." He's also signed on to join the ensemble cast of "Valentine's Day."