Drew Barrymore (left) and Ellen Page
Fernando Leon/Getty; George Napolitano/FilmMagic
The $10 million production – which marks Barrymore's directorial debut – will begin filming this summer in Texas, where Page will play a reluctant beauty-pageant contestant who instead finds her way in the rough-and-tumble world on skates.
"I've been working toward the goal of directing my entire life," Barrymore, 32, tells Variety. "Whip It! is a story that really spoke to me."
"I really admire how Drew constantly challenges herself as an artist," added Page, 20. "She's proven herself as an actress and a producer, and I have no doubt she'll bring great vision and creativity to the director's chair. I can't wait to kick ass on wheels!"
– Stephen M. Silverman
