Heitor Dhalia and Dakota Fanning Pact for ‘If I Stay’

I might have found the Un Certain Regard Heitor Dhalia’s Adrift slightly heavy-handed, but in the same measure, saw that the Brazilian filmmaker certainly knows how to use a filmmaker’s toolbox. Hollywood’s beck and call has gone out to the director with Summit Ent. placing him in the director’s chair for If I Stay, a seat that was once filled by Catherine Hardwicke. Also joining the supernatural thriller, is Dakota Fanning (a Summit favorite) who is now in the young adult roles portion of her career.

The book to film project that the studio that was optioned May of last year and is based on Gayle Forman’s novel of the same name. Shauna Cross’ script was on the 2009 Black List. Listed at 6 votes tied with several others including, audience and Oscar favorite, The King’s Speech.

Expect a strong visual treatment of If I Stay, which centers on a gifted classical musician played by Fanning, and her boyfriend, a rising star in the indie rock world. Already faced with a choice between her art and her relationship, she is forced to make a harder choice between life and death after being involved in a fatal car accident.

Last year, Dhalia was attached to direct April 23, the book-to-film adaptation of Erje Ayden’s book “Sadness at Leaving: An Espionage Romance” scripted by Hanna Wig.