Nat Wolff, who stole the world’s hearts as the cute sidekick in The Fault In Our Stars, is gearing up for another literary adaptation. In addition to his second John Green adaptation Paper Towns – due for release this summer – Wolff has signed up for a part in James Franco’s next movie, In Dubious Battle.
The film takes place in the 1930s and follows the story of Jim Nolan (Wolff). An activist for “the Party,” he organizes a major strike by apple pickers in California, and vies to attract followers to his cause. Wolff joins a starry ensemble that includes Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D’Onofrio, Danny McBride, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris and Bryan Cranston.
This marks the second collaboration for the actor and director, who worked together on 2013’s Palo Alto. While that was based on Franco’s own collection of short stories, this project will return focus to Franco’s favorite scribe John Steinbeck. In Dubious Battle will be the actor-director’s third Steinback adaptation following As I Lay Dying and The Sound And The Fury, and will also reunite him with screenwriter Matt Rager, who penned both prior scripts.
It’s certainly a daring choice as the text is one of Steinbeck’s most rigorous novels, but Franco’s nothing if not adventurous, so this could transform into a worthwhile adaptation.
In Dubious Battle is expected to begin shooting this March.
