According to the Hollywood Reporter:
“Keri Russell, JJ Field and Bret McKenzie will star in Austenland, an indie romantic comedy that is serving as the directorial debut of Jerusha Hess, who co-wrote Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre with her husband, helmer Jared Hess.
In a twist, the movie is also serving as the producing debut of Stephenie Meyer, author of the best-selling vampire books The Twilight Saga.[Lexicon Note: This should perhaps read her first time producing with her own company as she is a producer on Breaking Dawn]
Meyer is producing and financing the pic though her Fickle Fish Films banner, which she runs with Meghan Hibbett. Moxie Pictures’ Gina Mingacci is also producing.“
See more on THR
For those of you are are unfamiliar with Austenland, it marked the first time that children’s author Shannon Hale (of the Princess Academy fame) attempted an adult novel. Shannon Hale and Stephenie Myer have been friends for some time. Shannon did the Q&A with Stephenie that appears in the front of The Twilight Saga Official Illustrated Guide. She also took part in The Book Babe charity event with Stephenie. There is also a shout out to Shannon Hale in the Bree tanner novella where Bree reading her way through the bookshop had left off at Shannon Hale.
The basic premise of the book is that a young woman who is disillusioned by modern romance and dating inherits the chance to visit Austenland. Austenland is like a theme park for adult women where they can live out their own Pride and Prejudice type fantasy a la Fantasy Island (only without Mr. Roarke and Tatoo).
You can follow Shannon Hale on Twitter here and visit her blog here.
Edited: Shannon Hale commented on her blog:
“What I’ve done today:
- Done 3 loads of laundry
- Changed 6 diapers
- Dropped off and picked up preschooler
- Played games with my 7 yo
- Called insurance company to see why one of my twin babies mysteriously isn’t covered on our insurance
- Read about my book becoming a movie on The Hollywood Reporter
- Freaked out!
It’s happening! So much more news to come. I am at least freed to talk about. This has been in the works for two years and it’s so exciting! More soon.
Ps. Notice how THR doesn’t mention me or my book? Oh Hollywood, you just couldn’t love writers any more, could you?”
Isn’t Stephanie co-producing Breaking Dawn? Wouldn’t that be here producing debut?
Just wondering…
You are correct. We are just quoting the THR article. We’ll insert a note.
How exciting!! I absolutely LOVED this book and laughed until I cried. If you haven’t read it, get to a library ASAP.
I just hope the movie lives up to the fun spirit of the book.
Hey Lexiconers!
just wanted to alert you that Shannon Hale didn’t write the Princess Diaries but Princess Academy because Meg Cabot wrote the Diaries! Just thought I’d let you know so you can correct that
I am really excited though that Stephenie has this oportunity now!
love from Germany
Lisa
Thank you! Fixing!
I’m excited for Steph… but a little disappointed. I thought after with BD wrapping up that maybe she’d get back to writing.
Yes, PLEASE….where is Midnight Sun???????
I thought she was also producing The Host. Busy lady.
I’m excited for her but she really needs to write more books lol I miss her !
I’ve never heard of this book until now. I’ll have to add it to my list of books to read.
I read this book about two months ago and thought it was a cute story and thought it would make for a cute movie too…I am a Jane Austen anything fan, so it was a modern twist on a story of that kind…Keri Russell is a great choice here….Stephenie Meyer is a good choice for producing this…Can’t wait…The author is also putting out a sequel to the book in a few months too!!!
That was such a fun book! Keri Russell will be great in it and JJ Field is very good at playing the mischevious.
i haven’t read the book but the general premise makes it sound an awful lot like “lost in austen”…
I LOVE this book, and JJ Field will be FANTASTIC in it!
I love and i miss this book. .
I likè it,
I LOVE Shannon Hale’s books. I’ve read most of what she has written and I’ve never been disappointed. Austenland is fun, especially if you know that feeling of being in love with Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy… and what woman isn’t?!
If you are looking for something good to read until Stephenie writes us another book, pick up something by Shannon Hale! I even liked her childrens books a lot (Although they’re more in the juvenile fiction category, with Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, etc.)
I am excited! Loved this book…so funny!
I’m excited but also a little disappointed that Stephenie doesn’t have a new book coming out, instead. That would have made my summer!
(And the first thing I noticed about that Hollywood Reporter article was that Shannon Hale wasn’t mentioned anywhere. Nice.)