The Not-So Austen Bookclub discussion

From Examiner.com: (http://exm.nr/Yh9Mx0 )

"A new cast addition has been made to The CW's second pilot attempt at adapting Kiera Cass' The Selection to the small screen, and it's a big one.

Per Deadline, Australian actress Peta Sergeant has joined the cast as Gaia, a "rebel leader who is working to overthrow the monarchy."

Fans of Cass' book will know that the story involves thirty-five girls competing for the hand of Ilea's Prince Maxon - one of which is the at-first-uninterested America Singer - but that the backdrop involves a constant wave of conflict and attacks against the palace by two different sects of revolutionaries.

The big question which remain is, is she from the north or south? The answer determines the level of danger the character poses to the people of the palace.

The CW ordered a second effort at a pilot for The Selection after last year's first attempt featuring Aimee Teegarden in the lead was not picked up by the network.

The script for pilot two, according to CW president Mark Pedowitz is "very well done," and the director chosen to helm the pilot is Alex Graves of Fringe and Terra Nova successes.

Actor Sean Patrick Thomas is the only original castmate expected to return for the show's retooled effort.

Photos of Peta Sergeant are attached in the slideshow.

Thoughts on the casting decision?

"Set 300 years in the future, an epic romance centering on a working class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince’s hand to become the nation’s next queen. Balancing her loyalty to family, true love, and kingdom, she must attempt to remain true to herself as she navigates the cutthroat competition and palace intrigue, all while a budding rebellion threatens to topple the crown."

Book two of the series, The Elite, will hit shelves on April 23."

I"M. SO. EXCITED. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to see how they make it a tv show. I like the casting overall:)

I heard somewhere that apparently the pilot episode flopped and they decided to stop doing it altogether?

Here is an article: http://www.kieracass.com/home/2013/5/...

'Late last Thursday, I got the official call from the CW about THE SELECTION pilot being passed over. From what I understand, it was very well received, but when the executives got into the boardroom and actually had to arrange the schedule, there was just no place for it. I want to thank the cast and crew for their very hard work and wish them luck with their future projects. I’m not bitter about the show not happening, and I want to encourage you to adopt the same attitude. Just because nothing is happening now doesn’t mean something won’t in the future. No worries, guys!

To clear up a few rumors:

Yes, the script floating around is the actual one from the second pilot. I’m asking those of you who haven’t read it to please refrain from doing so, and if you have read it, please don’t pass it along. The studios try to keep those to themselves for good reasons, and, as I mentioned before, the new pilot was meant for very mature audiences.

And yes, I do get the rights back and could pursue another television or movie deal. If that happens (and that’s a very big if), it wouldn’t be for a few years.'

Basically it wasn't continued with because the CW didn't have room, what with its collection of popular TV shows that needed the air time.

*sniffles*

I find myself both reassured and disappointed. When I found out there was a TV show, I got all excited and then I realised it was just the pilot.

Grrrrrrrr. I can't wait a few more years!!!!

I feel the exact same way!

^^*nods in agreement*

So I read Pilot 2.0 a while ago. And Kiera Cass is right. Version 2.0 is obviously intended for mature audiences. Which I'm a bit iffy about because the story itself was intended for YA... :/

Oh..I hadn't really considered that. Good point.