THR reports that Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson will headline another book-to-screen adaptation, Forever, Interrupted.
Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the novel tells the story of Elsie Porter, an average twentysomething who falls head over heels in love with a man named Ben Ross. Within weeks the two have eloped, but their happy ending is cut short when Ben is killed instantly after his bike is hit by a truck nine days after the wedding. Elsie must then face Susan, the mother-in-law she’s never met and who doesn’t even know that Elsie exists.
Johnson will take on the role of Elsie, and the producers could not be more ecstatic about her casting. According to Amy Baer, who runs production house Gidden Media:
“Taylor’s book is exquisitely written and heart-wrenchingly honest. Great romantic drama is so hard to execute, and Taylor nailed it. And Dakota will be exquisite as Elsie, who has to deal with the sudden loss of a great love. She is a deeply thoughtful, sensitive and smart woman and actress.”
Other producers on the film are Good Universe chiefs Nathan Kahane (Neighbors, 50/50) and Joe Drake (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), along with John Middleton (The LEGO Movie), Roy Lee (The Departed), and Johnson herself in an executive producer role.
Johnson was just seen in such films as 21 Jump Street and The Social Network, and just wrapped production on Black Mass with Johnny Depp. She’ll next be on the big screen on February 13, 2015 in Fifty Shades of Grey.
