Rachel McAdams ‘lands role in upcoming film Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret!’

Rachel McAdams has reportedly secured a role in the forthcoming film adaption of the book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret! by best-selling author, Judy Blume. 

The Mean Girls actress, 42, is expected to play Margaret’s mother, Barbara, while Abby Ryder Fortson, 12, will play her sixth-grade daughter as the lead. 

The book, which was published in 1970, follows the ‘late-developing’ girl who struggles to find her identity and seeks answers to life’s ‘biggest questions’ in the coming-of-age story. 

New gig: Rachel McAdams (pictured) has reportedly secured a role alongside Abby Ryder Fortson in the forthcoming film adaption of the book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret! by Judy Blume

According to Variety, author Judy, 83, hasn’t permitted a film adaption until now, with shooting expected to start in April. 

Speaking about casting, she said to the publication on Friday: ‘Abby is funny and tender, strong yet vulnerable. She IS Margaret. 

‘And Rachel – wow! – does it get any better? A funny, loving, sexy, real woman who is also a mom. I can’t wait to see these two playing mother and daughter. 

‘It all began with trusting Kelly and Jim and they’ve proven how much this project means to them, which means everything to me.’

Dazzling: The Mean Girls actress, 42, is expected to play Margaret's mother, Barbara, while Abby Ryder Fortson (pictured in 2019), 12, will play her sixth-grade daughter as the lead

Dazzling: The Mean Girls actress, 42, is expected to play Margaret’s mother, Barbara, while Abby Ryder Fortson (pictured in 2019), 12, will play her sixth-grade daughter as the lead

The new movie, set-up by Lionsgate, will be directed by The Edge of Seventeen director, Kelly Fremon Craig.

Speaking of Rachel and Abby, the director, 40, said there ‘couldn’t be a better combination’ to play the novel’s leading characters on screen. 

Author Judy will work as a producer on set alongside James L. Brooks, Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Amy Brooks, Meredith Wieck and Chelsea Kujawa. 

Performer Rachel has an accomplished acting career, having starred in numerous productions including The Notebook, Mean Girls and the drama series, True Detective. 

She wrapped up shooting for the recent film, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, in Iceland before the pandemic hit.

Premise: The book, which was published in 1970, follows the 'late-developing' girl who seeks answers to life's 'biggest questions' in the coming-of-age story

Premise: The book, which was published in 1970, follows the ‘late-developing’ girl who seeks answers to life’s ‘biggest questions’ in the coming-of-age story

Excited: Speaking about casting, author Judy, 83, said to Variety on Friday: 'Abby is funny and tender, strong yet vulnerable. She IS Margaret. And Rachel - wow! - does it get any better?'

Excited: Speaking about casting, author Judy, 83, said to Variety on Friday: ‘Abby is funny and tender, strong yet vulnerable. She IS Margaret. And Rachel – wow! – does it get any better?’

Starring opposite Will Ferrell, the movie which was released on Netflix, chronicles a pair of longtime friends as they try their luck at the famous Eurovision song contest. 

Upcoming projects for Rachel include Sherlock Holmes 3 which has now been pushed from a December 2020 release date to a December 2021 date. 

She is also expected to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to reprise her role as Dr. Christine Palmer in the upcoming sequel to Dr. Strange. 

Fellow Marvel star Abby featured in the superhero adventure movie, Ant-Man, before returning for the sequel, Ant-Man And The Wasp. 

The 12-year-old has also tallied a number of major acting gigs, having previously starred in Forever My Girl, A Dog’s Journey and The Whispers.  

Team effort: The new movie, set-up by Lionsgate, will be directed by The Edge of Seventeen director, Kelly Fremon Craig and produced by James L. Brooks, also known as Jim (pictured)

Team effort: The new movie, set-up by Lionsgate, will be directed by The Edge of Seventeen director, Kelly Fremon Craig and produced by James L. Brooks, also known as Jim (pictured)