Film Adaptation of Hit Manga Series Death Note Casts Lead Actor

The American live-action film adaptation of the hugely popular manga and anime series Death Note has taken one step closer to happening, with the news that the lead role has been cast. Nat Wolff, best know for the hit teen drama The Fault in our Stars, is in final negotiations to star in the film, Variety have reported.

The series tells the story of a high school student called Light, who comes into possession of a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes into it. Light sets out to rid the world of evil, but finds himself relentlessly pursued by a legendary police detective.

Death Note ran for 108 episodes between 2003 and 2006, which were subsequently collected into 12 graphic novels, which to date have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. There have also been three live-action Japanese films, an anime series, and a number of video games for the Nintendo DS, published by Konami.

A Hollywood version of the property has been in development at Warner for a number of years, with Iron Man 3 director Shane Black at one time attached to it. In April, it was announced that Adam Wingard--director of cult horror thrillers You're Next and The Guest--would helm the adaptation.