Shailene Woodley demonstrated her acting chops in the Oscar-nominated "The Descendants" and is said to have caught the eye of "Fifty Shades of Grey" author E.L. James.
Shailene Woodley is in negotiations to star in The Fault in Our Stars, Fox 2000’s adaptation of John Green’s acclaimed best-seller.
The Descendants Oscar nominee’s involvement had been rumored since mid-February when tweets by Green, a major social networker, connected both Woodley and Josh Boone, the film’s director.
Stars centers on Hazel Lancaster, a teenage girl with terminal cancer who falls for a boy in her support group. The two form a bond as they deal with their illnesses.
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“During our exhaustive search to find Hazel Grace Lancaster, I saw some stunning auditions by today’s finest young actresses,” said Boone in a statement. “Over 250 girls read for the part, but it wasn’t until Shailene stepped in front of the camera that I truly saw Hazel for the first time. It was like lightning striking.“
Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, the producers behind The Twilight Saga and the Nicholas Sparks translation Safe Haven, are producing the project, which has a script by (500) Days of Summer and The Spectacular Now screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.
The filmmakers were over the moon about their casting decision, judging by the statements provided.
“Shailene’s love of the book and dedication to the character was evident in not only her pursuit of the role but her delivery of the essence of Hazel in her audition,” said Godfrey.
Said Green: “Watching her audition, I felt like Hazel Grace Lancaster was talking to me. It was eerie — and very exciting.”
Woodley still is enjoying a rising wave of interest since her breakout role opposite George Clooney in 2011’s The Descendants. The actress is shooting a small role in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and will then shoot Lionsgate’s adaptation of Divergent. She also stars in Spectacular Now, which premiered at Sundance to rave reviews.
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