Hold Back the Stars film announced by Lionsgate
Lionsgate today announced that Justin Baldoni, the director of Five Feet Apart, is set to direct Hold Back the Stars, an adaptation of the young adult novel by Katie Khan.
Baldoni will direct from a screenplay by Christy Hall, and the film will be produced by 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Baldoni will also produce. The announcement was made today by Erin Westerman, President of Production for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
Khan’s Hold Back the Stars focuses on a young man and a woman who revisit memories of their doomed love affair on a utopian Earth while trapped in the vast void of space with only ninety minutes of oxygen left.
The film reunites director/producer Justin Baldoni with the studio that distributed Five Feet Apart, which grossed over $91 million worldwide. The project also continues the collaboration between 21 Laps and film and television writer/producer and award-winning playwright Christy Hall, who is the co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Netflix’s new series I Am Not Okay with This, which debuted last week.
Commenting on the announcement, Westerman said, “We’re huge fans of Justin and what he accomplished with Five Feet Apart. He’s incredibly talented at capturing the romance, tragedy and buoyancy of young love. He will further elevate material we are already very excited about!”
Baldoni added, “I’m thrilled to be working with my friends at Lionsgate and 21 Laps on this unique and exceptional story. As a firm believer that love has the power to unify and conquer all, I deeply connected with Hall’s unique take on the ‘star-crossed lovers’ story. With its thrilling action, deep-rooted romance, and powerful message, I couldn’t be more excited to bring this story to life.”
The film will be overseen by Lionsgate’s Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien.
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Instagram post by director Justin Baldoni:
