In an exclusive revelation by The Hollywood Reporter, Tommy Dorfman's cinematic adaptation of Mariko Tamaki's acclaimed graphic novel, "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me," has secured Ava Phillippe and Sam Morelos for its leading roles. Wildling Pictures, a Toronto-based film and television production house, and L.A.'s MXN Entertainment confirmed to THR that Dorfman, renowned for her role in Netflix's "13 Reasons Why," has discovered her stars in Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and Morelos, known for his role in "That '90s Show."
Based on Tamaki's bestselling graphic novel, "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me" chronicles the life of Laura Dean, the school's most popular girl and the dream girl of Freddie Riley. According to a plot synopsis, Laura Dean embodies charm, confidence, and charisma. However, there's a catch: she keeps breaking up with Freddie. The narrative delves into Freddie's journey to muster the courage to terminate her toxic relationship and reclaim her self-love, guided by her best friends and a psychic.
Commenting on the casting, Dorfman remarked, "While we were on the lookout for our Freddie, Sam walked into the room, embodying a grounded, eccentric, and timeless character that encapsulated all of Freddie's wonder, heart, and artistic flair. From that very moment, it was evident that she was the perfect individual to breathe life into this story." "Similarly, Ava's effortless portrayal of Laura Dean and the electric chemistry between her and Sam as actors was undeniable. I am thrilled beyond measure to collaborate with these two rising stars on my sophomore film," she added.
Dorfman's newly established Good Girl Productions has joined forces with Wildling Pictures and MXN Entertainment as a co-producer of the film. The company, dedicated to narrating stories that challenge and alter our perspective of the human experience, thereby enriching it, launched in partnership with Tricky Knot, an entertainment financing and development firm. Tricky Knot is co-financing "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me" through its collaboration with Dorfman's banner.
Matt Code from Wildling Pictures shared, "We are overjoyed to have Ava and Sam on board for this heartfelt and humorous adaptation of Mariko Tamaki's tale. This film serves as a fresh and vital exploration of love and friendship. Tommy and Good Girl Productions are the ideal partners for this project, bringing immense passion to the adaptation. Together with our colleagues at MXN, we eagerly anticipate working with this extraordinary team to bring this captivating story to the silver screen."
Tamaki's powerful reflections on the teenage LGBTQIA+ experience, complemented by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell's illustrations, have garnered international acclaim. "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me" has been named one of Time's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Tamaki has also penned for both Marvel and DC Comics, and she currently serves as an executive story editor for season two of Apple's "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" and co-produced season two of Disney+'s "Goosebumps."
