Joey King and Charlie Plummer to Star in Film Adaptation of YA Novel STARGIRL

Joey King and Charlie Plummer have been cast as the two leads in the adaptation of Jerry Spinelli's best-selling YA novel STARGIRL. Catherine Hardwicke ("Twilight") is directing from a screenplay written by Kristin Hahn. Gotham Group ("Maze Runner'), Hahnscape Entertainment ("Tumbledown"), and BCDF Pictures ("The Outskirts") are producing.

First published in 2000, the critically-acclaimed STARGIRL tells the story of a homeschooled teenage girl who enrolls in an Arizona high school, altering the ecosystem of the student body with her effortless nonconformity, capturing the heart of a star-struck boy named Leo.

King will play the role of 'Stargirl', one of the most vivid and memorable characters in the YA canon. Plummer will take on the role of 'Leo', the intriguing character who narrates the story.

It will be Hardwicke's first YA film since TWILIGHT. Production begins in New Mexico this fall.

King has an impressive upcoming film slate including Roland Emmerich's STONEWALL, lead roles in INDEPENDENCE DAY 2 and BOREALIS, James Franco's ZEROVILLE, and Zach Braff's GOING IN STYLE. King is known for her roles in WHITE HOUSE DOWN, THE CONJURING, OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, CRAZY STUPID LOVE, WISH I WAS HERE, for which she was nominated for a Gotham Award, and for her title role of "Ramona" in RAMONA AND BEEZUS, for which she won a Young Artist Award. She has been nominated for an additional six Young Artist Awards. Joey also starred in FX's acclaimed series FARGO, which received 18 Emmy nominations and won the Emmy for Best Miniseries.

Plummer recently starred as Jack in "KING JACK," which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in April 2015 and won the Audience Award for best narrative film. He has wrapped his third season on the acclaimed Cold War-thriller "GRANITE FLATS," appeared on HBO's "BOARDWALK EMPIRE" for the past three seasons, and has had guest appearances on "PERSON OF INTEREST" and "WENDELL & VINNIE". Charlie was in "NOT FADE AWAY," the first feature from "Sopranos" creator David Chase.

Hardwicke's "Miss You Already" premieres this week at the Toronto International Film Festival. Gotham Group has YA adaptation "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" coming out this month, and BCDF has high school comedy "The Outskirts" scheduled for wide release. Hahnscape's "Tumbledown" starring Jason Sudeikis and Rebecca Hall is due out February 2016.

CAA will handle the project domestically. Red Granite International will handle foreign sales.

King is repped by Coast to Coast, Industry, and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof & Fishman. Plummer is repped by CAA, Primary Wave Entertainment, Zoom Talent, and Peikoff Mahan. Gotham Group, Hardwicke and Hahn are repped by CAA. BCDF Pictures is repped by Sheri Jeffrey at Hogan Lovells.