Variety announces ‘The D.U.F.F.’ Feature

McG eyes teenage ‘DUFF’ novel

Wonderland Sound options rights to coming ­of ­age book

By DAVE MCNARY

McG is going after “The DUFF,” optioning feature rights to Kody Keplinger’s coming ­of ­age novel to produce through his Wonderland Sound and Vision with Vast Entertainment.

McG will produce with Vast Entertainment CEO Lane Shefter Bishop. Wonderland’s Mary Viola will exec produce.

“DUFF,” which stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, focuses on a 17-­year-­old high school student who realizes she’s the epitome of “Duffness” and subsequently struggles with maintaining her sense of identity while juggling a tumultuous home life.

It is the debut novel by the 20-­year-­old Keplinger and will be released this fall by Poppy. “DUFF” was featured at last week’s BookExpo America on the Young Adult Editors’ Buzz panel.

Wonderland is also producing film adaptations of the books “Dead Spy Running,” adapted by Steve Gaghan; and “I’m An Evil Genius and I Want to Be Your Class President,” adapted by Josh Lieb. The banner also has four TV shows in production, including the new CW drama “Nikita,” as well as returning shows “Human Target,” “Chuck” and “Supernatural.”

Vast Entertainment is producing the feature films “Ghost Keepers” with Sid Ganis’ Out of the Blue Entertainment and “Stray” with Evolution. It is also producing “Savannah Reid Mysteries” skein for Lifetime and telepics “Girls Guide to Witchcraft” for ABC Family and “Fringe Girl” for Disney Channel.