Nicholas Hoult Will Play JD Salinger In 'Rebel In The Rye'

The Catcher in the Rye author JD Salinger was so reclusive that a documentary about the author did huge business, and we're not at all surprised to see that a dramatic biopic is in the works. Rebel in the Rye, written and directed by Danny Strong (Empire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay), will tell Salinger's story with Nicholas Hoult in the lead role. The script, based on one biography of the author, appears to be wide in scope, encompassing Salinger's young life, war service, and his literary development and success.

Here's the press release for the film, which represents everything we know about the movie at this point. Will Hoult don prosthetics to play the author? The young actor has model looks that are a far remove from Salinger's own gentle patrician features. Perhaps there will be a fake nose involved, which will lock the film in as an eventual Oscar nominee.

Nicholas Hoult to Star as JD Salinger in "Rebel in the Rye" for Writer & Director Danny Strong

BLOOM to Handle International Sales Beginning at the Toronto International Film Festival for Black Label Media and Bruce Cohen ProductionsLOS ANGELES (August 31, 2015) –– BLOOM is handling international sales on Danny Strong's drama REBEL IN THE RYE which will star Nicholas Hoult (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, EQUALS) as legendary author JD Salinger. Written and directed by Strong, the screenplay was adapted from the Kenneth Slawenski biography, JD Salinger: A Life. Black Label Media is financing with Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill producing alongside Academy Award winner Bruce Cohen (AMERICAN BEAUTY, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, MILK), Jason Shuman, and Danny Strong. BLOOM will introduce to foreign buyers at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, while CAA is representing the North American rights.REBEL IN THE RYE takes us on a journey into the life and mind of the legendary and secretive author and tells the story of the birth of The Catcher in the Rye. As the author who captivated a generation, JD Salinger soared to the heights of the literary world but left it all behind for a life of seclusion. Through his rebellious youth, the bloody front lines of World War 2, enduring great love and terrible loss, a life of rejection to the pages of The New Yorker, and the PTSD-fueled writer's block which led to a spiritual awakening.BLOOM's Alex Walton said, "The Catcher in the Rye is a classic coming of age story which continues to make a significant impression six generations later. The world has long been fascinated with JD Salinger, who the talented Nicholas Hoult will bring to life, in this enigmatic role."Strong is known best for creating the hit FOX show "Empire," in which he has written and directed multiple episodes of the ratings and pop culture phenomenon. In addition he has written the screenplays for THE BUTLER, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2, and the HBO Films RECOUNT and GAME CHANGE. He has won a Golden Globe, two Emmys, two Writer's Guild Awards and a Peabody.