The `Forgetting Sarah Marshall` star is to play the pushy mother of a slightly overweight ballerina, who will stop at nothing to achieve her dream.

Director Evan Greenberg and producers Daniel Dubiecki and Joel Michaely are now set to embark on a US-wide casting search for a young actress to play the 10-year-old lead role, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Evan explained: "We`re looking to discover an unknown."

However, `Dance of the Mirlitons` has already come up against its fair share of barriers.

After initially being picked up by Warner Independent in 2005, the division dealing with the movie closed down in 2008, meaning writer-and-director Evan had to go back to the start in terms of securing financing for the film.

He said: "It took me a few years to get the rights back. Once I got the rights back, it was about the right partner. Kristen`s combination of comedic timing and authenticity will bring this character to the next level, and give this crossover appeal.

"I hope that one day people will talk about how it was one of those movie that came together, fell apart, came together again. The best projects are the ones that take the most elbow grease to get made."
sections: Celebrities