The film follows
Hazel and Gus, played by today’s well-loved pair – Shailene Woodley and Ansel
Elgort, as their relationship develops from their first meeting at a cancer
support group until the time they set off on a surprising and exciting journey
to Amsterdam.
For all the
characters, it was paramount that every aspect of their lives felt
authentic. Producer Wyck Godfrey notes
that, “John Green said the reason he loves writing about teenagers is that they
are not yet that cynical. In some ways
they live very openly, haven’t yet been become jaded, and it’s a beautiful time
for them. Teens are impulsive and will
say and do anything. One of the most
fascinating things about Gus, Hazel and Isaac is that their illnesses don’t
change that.”
The filmmakers’
insistence on verisimilitude led them to visit cancer support groups. “When Josh Boone and I got together with the
actors, the first thing we said is that we must represent this experience and
situation in an honest way,” Godfrey explains.“The only way to do that was to
spend time with young people who are patients and meet with the doctors
treating them, as well as with the parents going through it all with them. When
we got to our shooting locations in Pittsburgh, we reached out to the hospitals
and the cancer centers and asked for their help with this.” The production made contact with several
patients either going through treatment or in remission, many of whom became a
valuable part of the production, appearing in scenes set at the story’s cancer
support group.
“These young people have been so important to the movie not only
because they lent their talents on screen but because it’s given all of us an
opportunity to talk about their experiences,” says Green.“What we found is that
what started off as research questions, like, ‘Tell me what it’s like …”ended
up with us talking about movies, cars, girls and whatever else. It was a joy just getting to hang out with
them.”
Prior to and
during production, Green’s book was a touchstone for everyone connected with “The
Fault In Our Stars.” “My favorite thing about the book,” Godfrey says, “is when
you put it down you feel like, ‘Every one of us should attack life with the
energy that Hazel and Gus do.’ At their core, Hazel, Gus and Isaac are
experiencing many of the same things that teenagers have gone through for
generations.”
Adds Shailene
Woodley: “It is an honor to have brought to the big screen one of the most
powerful fictional characters I’ve ever met.
“The Fault In Our Stars” rewrote the way I look at each breath.” Woodley’s views on the story, themes and
characters mirrored those of her director and the producers. “The Fault In Our Stars” is a love story
about two kids with cancer, but it’s not about cancer,” she explains.“I was so
deeply moved by Hazel and Gus, who are able to see things that a lot of us are
too busy living our lives to see.”
The object of
Hazel’s affections, Gus, played by Ansel Elgort, is someone who believes in
big, heroic gestures. He’s brash and
tough, but also possesses an appealing intelligence. Gus is a complicated figure: he’s a former
high school basketball star, and his favorite book – until meeting Hazel – is
based on a videogame. At the same time,
he’s an intellectual who enjoys giving long, thoughtful monologues.
For Elgort, Gus
was exactly the part he was looking for.
Like so many others, he was a fan of the novel. “Above all, the book is full of beautiful
ideas that make you think about life and love,” he notes. Tackling his most challenging role yet,
Elgort credits Woodley as a source of strength.
“I’ve had some moments in this film that have been harder for me than
any in my career, so having Shailene by my side made it a lot easier.”
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I'd like to go to the launch on May 17 at Robinson's Magnolia! https://www.facebook.com/eugene.eufemio/posts/10152022436316780
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