Abbott’s novel, ‘Dare Me’

The film adaptation of author Megan Abbott’s book Dare Me has a new director, and casting rumors have begun to swirl. Michael Sucsy, the Emmy-winning director and writer of films such as The Vow (2012, Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatums) and TV movie Grey Gardens (2009, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Lange) was recently chosen as the film’s director and Fox 2000 is supposedly hoping to score Oscar-winner Natalie Portman as the film’s lead.

Abbott’s novel chronicles a teenage cheerleader, Abby, and her friends, and the jealously-fueled drama that surrounds high school life. The New York Times claims that the book perfectly captures teenage attempts to combat “the mind-numbing abyss of teenage existence” and described the book as Heathers meets Fight Club. If the book’s gleaming reviews and impressive sales are any indication, the film adaptation is sure to satisfy audiences.  If production goes as planned and Portman, or a similarly strong actress, is indeed secured for the lead, we may have another teen drama that reaches heights similar to cult-classics such as Heathers (1988) or Clueless (1995) on our hands.

Check in with mxdwn Movies to keep up with any updates that unfold surrounding Dare Me.