VARIETY – Hot off her acclaimed supporting performance in Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants,” Shailene Woodley has signed on to topline “White Bird,” a new indie project from writer-director Gregg Araki.
Drama is told from the point of view of Woodley’s character, a troubled young woman whose life is upended following the mysterious disappearance of her mother.
With Woodley in place, Araki will turn his attention to casting the other key roles, including the protag’s parents and the lead detective on the case. Araki will produce “White Bird” with his frequent collaborators Pascal Caucheteux and Sebastien Lemercier of Why Not Prods.
One of the most lauded and prolific production companies in France, Why Not was responsible for four films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, including Jacques Audiard’s “Rust And Bone,” Ken Loach’s “The Angel’s Share,” Cristian Mungiu’s “Beyond The Hills” and Bruno Podalydes’ “Adieu Berthe.” Shingle, which has produced over 75 features including Audiard’s “A Prophet,” is currently shooting “Jimmy Picard” with Benicio Del Toro and Mathieu Almaric.
Category: White Bird in a Blizzard
Congratulations to Shai! I’m sure this will be another great role for her.
VARIETY – After four years in development, Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber’s adaptation of Tim Tharp’s award-winning novel “The Spectacular Now” is finally moving forward with Shailene Woodley (“The Descendants”) attached to star and “Smashed” helmer James Ponsoldt set to direct for Global Produce and 21 Laps.
Coming-of-age dramedy follows a teenage girl (Woodley) who convinces an alcoholic high school senior that his philosophy of living only for the moment may not be all it’s cracked up to be.
Global Produce principals Tom McNulty and Marc Shmuger will produce with Shawn Levy of 21 Laps, while “500 Days of Summer” scribes Weber and Neustadter will exec produce. Billy Rosenberg and Dan Cohen will oversee the project for 21 Laps.
UTA Independent Film Group is repping “Spectacular,” which Ponsoldt’s fellow Sundance helmer Lee Toland Krieger (“Celeste and Jesse Forever”) was originally attached to direct before scheduling issues forced him to leave the project. Woodley nearly followed him before seeing Ponsoldt’s sobriety drama “Smashed,” which convinced her to stick with the pic.
Continue readingShailene Takes Role in ‘The Spectacular Now’
