Entertainment

Which YA Adaptation Just Cast Mike Birbiglia?

by Alanna Bennett

There's no shortage of movie adaptations of young adult novels out there these days. The Hunger Games, Divergent, Beautiful Creatures, that one that had something to do with angels and demons that nobody saw. (Sorry Cassandra Clare.) Most of these also hover in the realm of sci-fi or fantasy, which are great genres (and often great and entertaining movies and books), but in the eyes of movie execs, usually just scream "FRANCHISE!" while money flutters down from the ceiling.

There's at least one YA novel in the works to be turned into a movie, though, that features absolutely zero hovercrafts (probably), werewolves, or dystopian future societies. That novel is John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, which is currently being filmed in Pittsburgh. And they've just added their newest cast member to the roster: Comedian, actor, and generally delightful human being Mike Birbiglia.

Birbiglia is set to play Patrick, the leader of a support group of cancerous teens. Said support group is also where the novel's main characters and star-crossed lovers, Hazel and Augustus (played by Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, respectively), first meet.

The news was announced today through Green's twitter account.

Birbiglia, who is best known for his one-man off-Broadway show turned book turned movie Sleepwalk With Me , has three Comedy Central specials under his belt, and is a regular contributor to This American Life.