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'Juno' Star Joins the Roller Derby
Ellen Page
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Ellen Page to star for Drew Barrymore in 'Whip It!'
Based on a script by Shauna Cross -- known in roller derby circles as Maggie Mayhem -- "Whip It" focuses on Bliss Cavendar (Page), a teen who finds herself out-of-synch with her beauty pageant obsessed small Texas town. When she joins a roller derby team, though, she finds herself.
"I really admire how Drew constantly challenges herself as an artist," Page says. "She's proven herself as an actress and a producer, and I have no doubt she'll bring great vision and creativity to the director's chair. I can't wait to kick ass on wheels!"
Barrymore adds, "I've been working towards the goal of directing my entire life. 'Whip It' is a story that really spoke to me, I feel like the heart and soul as well as the message is very true to me and yet it still has aspects that will challenge me. I couldn't be more honored to work with the phenomenal Ellen Page, she's so incredibly unique, it's a privilege to get in the ring with her."
"Whip It!" is set up at Mandate Pictures and will begin production this summer with a budget of $10 million.
The late shooting date will give Page the opportunity to possibly squeeze in another project in-between.
In addition to picking up Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Independent Spirit Award nominations for her turn as a snarky, pregnant teen in "Juno," Page is widely expected to pick up her first Oscar nomination.
The 20-year-old Canadian actress' previous credits include "Hard Candy" and "X-Men: The Last Stand."
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