Well this certainly has to be some kind of a first. The LA Times reports that Dakota Fanning has dropped out of “If I Stay,” a project she joined back in October. The reason? She’d rather be in school.
A rep for the star says she’s going to complete her work on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” and might take on a smaller role in an indie film, but will otherwise dedicate herself to finishing her final year of high school. And while we can’t imagine anything at all that would compel us at that age to focus on high school, it’s actually pretty admirable the actress is going to focus on hitting the books and getting her diploma.
As for the film, it remains to be seen what will happen, but with the lead actress leaving we presume it’s back to square one. “If I Stay” was set to be directed by Brazilian helmer Heitor Dhalia with the story centering on a talented classical musician (Fanning) who faces the difficult choice between her art and her relationship with an indie musician only to have that compounded (to say the least) as she is forced to choose between life and death after a car accident.
We suppose Summit will begin searching for a new lead for the project that, with its supernatural elements and tween skewing story, is said to be a top priority for the studio. Fanning was seen earlier this year in “The Runaways“; the first part of ‘Breaking Dawn’ will arrive on November 18, 2011.
*its (second last word of the first line on the last paragraph)