Nicholas Sparks adaptation eyes new male lead…
James Marsden (‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues 2,’ ‘X-Men’) has reportedly been offered the male lead role in Michael Hoffman’s Nicholas Sparks adaptation ‘The Best Of Me’ opposite Michelle Monaghan.
Published in 2011, the bestseller is the story of Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole, two former high school sweethearts reunited after 20 years apart when they return to their small town for the funeral of the beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the sparks, but the forces that drove them apart back then still get in the way.
The male lead was initially slated for ‘Fast and Furious’ star Paul Walker before his tragic death in November.
Hoffman will direct the adaptation from a script he co-wrote with J. Mills Goodloe, and Will Fetters.
Denise DiNovi, Sparks and his producing partner Theresa Park are producing with Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. Relativity president Tucker Tooley and Richard Middleton are executive producing.