Palin 'Bounce' May Speed Filming of 'Looking for Alaska'

A renewed interest in all things Alaska spurred on by the selection of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate may rebound to the advantage of not just a few people down in Hollywood – including “O.C.” creator Josh Schwartz and his first major announced film project, “Looking for Alaska.”

And Michael L. Printz Award-winner John Green, who wrote the book the film is based on, looks to benefit as well.

Schwartz is best known for creating and executive producing the FOX drama The O.C. Schwartz recently created two new television shows, The CW's “Gossip Girl” and NBC's comedy-spy series, “Chuck.”

Although he bought the film rights to “Looking for Alaska” over two years ago, Schwartz’s project has been stalled for years at Paramount.

But with the caribou-skinning Palin once again thrusting all things Alaska to the forefront, production of “Looking for Alaska” has been sped up, with casting choices once again on front burner and a new production company, Adam Shankman’s Disney-linked Offspring Entertainment (“Hairspray,” “The Wedding Planner”) being brought in to replace the slow-moving Paramount.

“’Looking for Alaska’ is about that girl in high school that's sort of unknowable, unattainable, an ultimately tragic girl and all the guys in school are in love with her,” says Green. “It's told through the point of view of this one kind of socially awkward kid who's arrived at the school and, in falling in love with her, he has to grow up and come of age. It's kind of like your classic coming-of-age story, first love, first loss.”

Although he published his first book only three years ago, John Green is already considered by some to be in the same category as writing legend J.D. Salinger and his work destined to be this generation's "Catcher in the Rye." His debut novel, "Looking for Alaska," received the prestigious Printz award for young adult literature in 2006.

Interest in Green’s other books has also spiked, with Nickelodeon keen on picking up rights to his soon-to-be released “Paper Towns,” with Paul Dinello (“Strangers With Candy,” “The Gym Teacher”) to direct. The Dinello-directed “Gym Teacher” recently broke Nickelodeon viewership records for its time slot.

“Paper Towns is set in Orlando, Florida, and it's about a girl, Margot, who goes on a crazy, all-night adventure through central Florida with her next-door neighbor, Quentin,” says Dinello. “The girl is really the center of the story, and Ellen Page of ‘Juno’ is to be keenly interested. But we’ll see. It’s an ideal story for her, but we’ll see."

The film rights to John Green's third book, “An Abundance of Katherines,” is still up for grabs – but would be ideal for a cinematic release, according to Dinello, who says the book is very much an Andrew Paquin kind of thing.

"The main character in that book is a loner named Colin Singleton, appropriately enough, who has a hard time making friends -- though no trouble finding girlfriends -- and a quirky taste for anagrams and odd facts,” says Dinello. “At the end of his senior year of high school, Colin has just been dumped by a girl named Katherine – and it's the 19th time he's been dumped by a girl named Katherine.”

Egged on by his friend Hassan, Colin sets out on an aimless road trip until his attention is caught by a sign for the burial place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the middle of rural Tennessee.

“Part of the fun in that book,” says Dinello, “is how Colin develops a mathematical theorem that focuses on predicting the outcome of romantic relationships. There is plenty of humor in his story.”

Green’s books are a favorite among teens, although adults have criticized them as too overtly sexual. He has also become known for the quirky details of his plotlines.

In “Looking for Alaska,” Miles, the main character, memorizes the last words of famous people. His favorite last words quote is by Rabelais who said, "I go to seek the great perhaps," while Alaska best identifies with Simon Bolivar's last words: "How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?"

”But my own favorite quote generally is from Robert Frost, the poet,” says Green. “He once said in conversation, "The only way out is through." I like that a lot and think about it all the time. It's in my new book, actually. My favorite last words are probably from Emily Dickinson. She said, ‘I must go in; the fog is rising.’”