The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Netflix has acquired the rights to director Anne Fletcher’s new film Dumplin’ starring Friends alum Jennifer Aniston. The film is based on Julie Murphy’s 2015 best-selling novel of the same name about child beauty pageants.
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The original novel is set around an overweight teenager named Willowdean, nicknamed “Dumplin‘” by her mom. Will is full of confidence and comfortable with her body, despite the fact that her mother Rosie was a beauty queen in her teen years. She doesn’t really mind getting teased about her weight. She meets a boy named Bo who might be interested in her and now Will is starting to have feeling of self doubt. Throughout the story, she and her mom Rosie have to deal with what they’ve done for each other, and change their relationship.
Like the novel, the film follows the story of Dumplin’, who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow in her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town. Aniston as Rosie with Danielle Macdonald as the titular character. Other cast members include Odeya Rush (Goosebumps), Dove Cameron (Descendants), Harold Perrineau (Lost), Bex Taylor-Klaus and Ginger Minj.
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Said to feature music as a prominenant factor, the film will include new versions of Dolly Parton songs re-recorded by the legendary artist. Furthermore, Parton will collaborate with musicians like Sia and Miranda Lambert and pen six new original songs (co-written by Parton and Linda Perry). Other music artists such as Alison Krauss, Elle King, Mavis Staples and many others are also contributing to the original motion picture soundtrack for the film.
Dumplin’ is slated to premiere later this year on Netflix and will also have a theatrical release in select U.S. theaters.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
