John Green’s ‘Looking For Alaska’ captures public eye

By: Amy Reinhardt

            John Green, author of “The Fault in Our Stars,” has his third book “Looking for Alaska” hitting the big screen in 2016 with the approval to start filming this fall in Michigan.

            Green wrote “Looking for Alaska” back in 2005. The novel, in turn, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association.

After the release of “The Fault in Our Stars,” with Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, in summer of 2014, Green’s second novel “Paper Towns,” starring Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne, hit the theaters on July 24.

            Green’s new film portrays the story of a teenager Miles “Pudge” Halter. The plot begins with Halter leaving his life in Florida to attend Culver Creek boarding school in Birmingham, Alabama for his junior year of high school.

At Culver Creek introverted Halter makes new friends, including Alaska Young, a spirited, mysterious girl with whom Halter develops feelings towards.  

            The success of “The Fault in Our Stars” was what helped provide the final push for the development and adaption for Green’s 2005 novel.  

            Green experienced second thoughts about the film adaption of “Looking for Alaska” because of his personal bond to the story and the intense connection his readers have to the book’s characters. He didn’t want the film to be a disappointment for his fans.

            After revealing the upcoming film’s screenwriters, producers and director Green’s worries were replaced with feelings of excitement for filming.

            Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter, who both worked on Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Paper Towns,” wrote the screenplay.

Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen will also return as producers for “Looking for Alaska.” They will partner with Mark Waters and Jessica Tuchinsky, producers of the film “500 Days of Summer.”

            Rebecca Thomas, known for directing 2012 “Electrick Children,” will serve as the film’s director as evident by a June 2015 announcement.

            Casting for the film has commenced, but has not yet been finalized. Nicola Peltz and Charlie Rowe are being considered for the lead roles. Other contenders include Anya Taylor Joy, Imogen Waterhouse, Courtney Eaton for Alaska and Mitchell Hope for Miles.

Over 200 Michigan residents will be hired to assist with the film. “Looking for Alaska” will require approximately 1700 people to pose as extras. If you’re interested in applying, send your resume to [email protected].