Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her YA novel, Girl, Stolen:Girl, Stolen would make a great movie. With no CGI, the budget would be pretty reasonable, and it offers two strong roles for young actors looking to expand their skills.Learn more about the book and author at April Henry's website and blog.
Girl, Stolen is about sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder. Sick, she is resting in the back of her car while her step-mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Her step-mom leaves the keys in the ignition in case Cheyenne gets cold. Cheyenne's doesn't just have pneumonia. She's also blind from an accident three years ago that killed her mom and left Cheyenne feeling vulnerable and weak. When she hears a car door slam and the engine turn over, Cheyenne realizes that someone is stealing the car--with her inside!
Griffin didn't mean to kidnap Cheyenne. All he wanted to do was steal a car to take home to his dad who runs a chop shop. Cheyenne begs them to let her go, since she can't tell the police what they look like. But once Roy finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. Can Cheyenne survive this nightmare? And if she does, at what price?
The role of Cheyenne Wilder would be great for any young actress looking for a stretch role. One actress who would have no trouble carrying it off is Hailee Steinfeld. She played Mattie Ross in 2010's remake of True Grit. I think she would do a wonderful job playing a blind girl who learns that she is stronger than she thinks.
Charlie McDermott plays Axl on the TV show The Middle, but I think of how well he played a confused and angry teen in the movie Frozen River. He would make an excellent Griffin.
Norman Reedus makes such a great backwoods baddy in The Walking Dead - he would be perfect in the role of Griffin's dad Roy. Roy isn't above turning his son's mistake to his own advantage - and a potential payout of millions of dollars.
--Marshal Zeringue
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