Netflix has had a recent good run with high school centered films such as “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “Sierra Burgess is a Loser” and “The Kissing Booth,” helping to raise the profile of the young actors in them. Now the streaming giant is holding a worldwide casting call for its next high school comedy.
Netflix said on Friday that it is searching for girls who are 5-foot-10 and taller between the ages of 13 and 21 years old to be the lead in the original film “Tall Girl.”
Anyone interested in auditioning can visit www.tallgirlcasting.com and submit no later than Nov. 21, 2018, Netflix said.
“At Netflix we are committed to being a platform where tweens can find movies that inspire and empower them. One of the many reasons we’re excited to make ‘Tall Girl’ is the refreshing way it speaks to this audience with humor and heart about embracing what makes them different and special using height as a framing device,” said Melissa Cobb, Netflix’s vice president of kids and family, in a statement. “We look forward to canvassing the world for our very own Tall Female Lead who can draw on her unique experience to authentically depict the challenges and the lessons wrapped up in this tricky stage of life.”
“Tall Girl” centers on 16-year-old Jodi, who — at more than six feet tall — has to go above and beyond to survive high school and embrace what makes her different and be proud to stand out, not fit in, while struggling with the constant label of being her school’s tall girl.
Jodi has never quite felt comfortable in her own statuesque skin, until she falls for the handsome (and equally tall) foreign exchange student Stig, who lands Jodi’s quirky, best male friend Dunkleman and his hippie mom as a host family. As a result, Jodi gets embroiled in a surprising love triangle, which helps her realize she’s far more than her insecurities about her height have led her to believe.
The film is meant to capture what it’s like growing up and having to figure out who you are; exploring the nuanced and delicate relationships that make high school challenging, frustrating, memorable and uplifting. “Tall Girl” is described as being in the tone of John Hughes classics.
“Tall Girl” is directed by Nzingha Stewart (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “A Million Little Things”), from a script written by Sam Wolfson (“Andi Mack,” “Finding Carter”).
“‘Tall Girl’ is about all the places where we feel awkward or tender, and learning not only to accept those places, but to shower them with unconditional and radical love,” Stewart said.
The film, which will begin shooting in January 2019, will be Netflix’s fourth collaboration with Wonderland’s McG and Mary Viola (“The Duff”). Wonderland’s Corey Marsh will also produce. The film’s casting director is Barbara McCarthy (“Mother’s Day,” “The Duff”), who also cast the upcoming Netflix film “Christmas Chronicles.”