Fox Searchlight Options Comedy From 'Easy A' Writer Bert Royal

Fox Searchlight has optioned a comedy spec script from Easy A writer Bert Royal called A Thousand Words or Less, which is set against the background of a national essay championship.

Shailene Woodley, who stars in ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager and who will be seen in Searchlight’s upcoming The Descendants, is atop the list of potential leads to play one of three teens who get caught up in the contest.

Royal is also attached to make his directorial debut with the film.

Michelle Manning, through her MM Prods., and Dana Jackson, who manages Royal, will produce.

Royal and Woodley are repped by Paradigm, with Woodley is additionally repped by The Savage Agency and Principato-Young.