Thanks to the success of the Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games ' franchises, novels for young adults have been a very popular source of inspiration for Hollywood for the past decade or so. But remarkably, heralded YA author Judy Blume, whose books have sold more than 82 million copies in 41 countries, has yet to have one of her many popular novels adapted into a feature film. It might have something to do with her work's lack of fantastical magic creatures. But Blume's time has come at last thanks to Tiger Eyes.
As you might gather from the trailer above—courtesy of USA Today—the movie centers on Davey Wexler (Gossip Girl's Willa Holland), a 17-year-old girl who's reeling from the recent death of her father as well as a traumatizing move to a new town. Transported from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Los Alamos, New Mexico, Davey feels alone and lost in her inner turmoil, until she meets Wolf (Tatanka Means), an enigmatic Native American who calls her Tiger and enjoys climbing the local canyon walls. Their growing bond helps pull Davey from the brink of darkest despair, urging her to embrace the life she has.
Though it's not one of her most popular books, the 75-year-old Blume has been passionate about adapting Tiger Eyes into a feature for some time. To make it happen the remarkable woman who wrote such essential books as Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing founded her own production company, Tashmoo Prods, and co-wrote the coming-of-age drama's screenplay with her son Lawrence Blume. Notably, Lawrence, who in his boyhood was the inspiration for her beloved Fudge character, also served as the drama's director. So, fittingly this family-focused drama was a family affair.
Tiger Eyes will open in limited release and VOD on June 7th.
