Summit knows the tween market better than anybody else these days and with their mad money franchise “Twilight” drawing to a close, they’re trying to find other ways to lure that all-important dollar from young moviegoers. They picked up the adaptation of “The Perks of Being a Wallfower” during Sundance earlier this year, and now it’s gearing up to shoot and has added another cast member to Emma Watson and Logan Lerman who were first attached last spring.
Variety reveals that Mae Whitman — perhaps best known for playing George Michael’s Christian girlfriend Ann on “Arrested Development” or as Roxy Richter in “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” — has joined the film. Based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky, who is also directing, the film tells the story of a shy, unpopular teenager who, through a series of letters to an anonymous person, explores his awkward adolescence including drug use, abuse and sexuality in 1991 Pittsburgh. Due to its touchy subjects, the novel placed sixth on the American Library Association’s list of the top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2008.
Whitman will play the tattooed vegetarian first girlfriend of Charlie (Lerman). Watson will play Sam, an older friend that Charlie develops feelings for. Filming on ‘Perks’ will begin next month in Pittsburgh.
When I saw that Logan Lerman was going to be acting as Charlie, I laughed out loud with amusement. If you ask me, he looks very similar to the boy on the cover of the book, and that was what made me laugh. I have no doubt that he can make a good Charlie, and I look forward to seeing the film, especially since Stephen Chbosky himself will be directing the film!
Logan Lerman as Charlie?? Uhh. I trust his acting, I mean, he\’s very talented but he looks nothing like a \”small shy boy\”.
LOVE Emma Watson as Sam. Very cool. She fits the role very well and I\’m interested to see what she does with it.
As for Mae Whitman, fansastic casting. I couldn\’t ask for a better actor to play Mary-Elizabeth.
I\’m very excited to see how they format this film. Since it\’s a series of letters. I\’m interested in seeing how they make it one flowing story. If that makes any sense.
Loved the book, not happy about Logan playing the Charlie. Other than that, i\’m interested in this.
Her?