News
"Smashed" alum James Ponsoldt sets new film
Teams with "Descendants" co-star Shailene Woodley for "The Spectacular Now.
Posted on April 18th 2012 in Accolade
IndieWire reports that Professional Program in Screenwriting alumnus James Ponsoldt '10 ("Smashed") has closed a deal for his next film: He will direct breakout "Descendants" co-star Shailene Woodley in the coming-of-age drama "The Spectacular Now."
"[the film] will follow the "Secret Life of the American Teenager" actress as she tries to convince an alcoholic high school senior that his reckless philosophy of living for the moment may have its faults. The plot details don't offer much outside of its modified "After School Special" tagline, but the pedigree of talent suggests that there might be something more here. The script is from "(500) Days of Summer" scribes Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber, based on Tim Tharp's award-winning novel, with James Ponsoldt taking over the director's chair from Lee Toland Krieger ("Celeste and Jesse Forever")."
Ponsoldt knows a thing or two about films featuring alcoholics after helming 2006's "Off the Black," with Nick Nolte as an alcoholic who convinces a young friend to pose as his son at his 40th high school reunion, and 2012 Sundance entry "Smashed," which starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul as an alcoholic married couple. It was reportedly Ponsoldt's "Smashed" that convinced Woodley to take the role. Sony Pictures Classics picked up the film after its Sundance debut.
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