In “Fault In Our Stars”, Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16 year old cancer patient played by Shailene Woodley falls in love with a cancer survivor.  The film premiered on June 2nd and is based off an adaptation of the book by John Green.

Shailene Woodley was cast as the main character. However, when she auditioned for the film she wasn’t even looking to be the main character. She just wanted to be a part of the movie. As it turns out, the eccentric actress actually ended up being very influential in helping the movie get made.

Woodley is a big fan of the book and reached out to the author, John Green, pleading with him to give the production company the permission to make the movie. She sent him a 40 page letter to convince him to “Green-light” her role in the movie adaptation.

Author John Green responded with an email saying that the letter was “lovely” and that he was not the casting director, since he did not know who Woodley was. When he saw her audition, he immediately wanted her to be in the movie and felt embarrassed for not recognizing star of the hit film “Divergent” sooner.

Shailene Woodley wanted to be in this movie made so badly because she believes that it will change the way that female lead characters are portrayed on screen. Woodley has compared to Jennifer Lawrence for similar efforts to change the face of female characters in the entertainment industry.