Acclaimed actress Nicole Wallace is set to headline Amazon MGM Studios' forthcoming film, "Throttled," based on Lauren Asher's popular novel. Wallace, recognized for her compelling performances in the "Culpa Mia" trilogy and "The House of Spirits," will embody the spirited protagonist, Maya Alatorre.
In "Throttled," Wallace's character, Maya Alatorre, is depicted as an ambitious young woman who immerses herself in the competitive world of auto racing alongside her brother. Her journey takes an unexpected turn as she becomes entangled in a passionate, yet forbidden, romance with Noah Slade, portrayed by "Off Campus" star Josh Heuston, who happens to be her brother's fierce rival on the track.
Wallace shared her enthusiasm for stepping into Maya's shoes, describing the character as intelligent and driven. She highlighted Maya's journey of self-discovery within the high-speed, rivalry-filled racing environment, emphasizing the character's need to assert herself as a woman in a male-dominated sport. Wallace also expressed her eagerness to collaborate with co-star Josh Heuston and director Nzingha Stewart, anticipating the exhilarating experience that awaits audiences.
The adaptation boasts a talented team, with Melissa Osborne, known for her work on "My Fault: London" and "My Oxford Year," penning the screenplay. Nzingha Stewart, acclaimed for her direction in "Daisy Jones & the Six," will helm the project. Producing duties are being handled by Max Handelman and Elizabeth Banks of Brownstone Productions, alongside Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay from Ethea Entertainment. Garrett Grant is also a producer, with Alison Small of Brownstone Productions and author Lauren Asher serving as executive producers.
Lauren Asher's "Throttled," first published in 2020 as the inaugural installment in the "Dirty Air" sports romance series, further expands Amazon MGM's growing catalog of book-to-screen adaptations. This commitment is evident in their previous successful projects like "Off Campus," "Every Year After," and "The Love Hypothesis," showcasing their dedication to bringing beloved literary works to a wider audience.
Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay of Ethea Entertainment have a strong history with adaptations, having recently produced "The Last Sunrise," a Prime film based on Anna Todd's bestselling romance novel. Their previous work includes the "After" film series, also inspired by Todd's books. They are currently developing "House of Crowns," a new romance series for Amazon MGM, based on another upcoming novel by Todd.
Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman's Brownstone Productions has an array of projects in development. Their film slate includes "Magic School Bus" with Legendary, Leigh Janiak's "Harness," Chloe Okuno's "Bad Hand," and Alex Prager's "Dreamquil." For television, they are working on an Apple TV comedy series featuring Banks, Ted Danson, Katey Sagal, and Rob Delaney, as well as limited series for Prime Video and Warner Bros. Television, including one centered on the Karen Read trials, in which Banks will also star.
Lauren Asher is a New York Times bestselling author with over 5 million books sold globally. She is represented by Kimberly Brower at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management and Marisa Kapust at Toczek Suddleson Law Group. Nicole Wallace is represented by TFC Management, Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern, Triana Management, and imPRint.
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