Page set for Barrymore's directorial debut

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Ellen Page has reportedly signed on to headline veteran screen star Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, "Whip It!"

Page earned critical raves and numerous award nominations for her performance in 2007's independent teen pregnancy comedy "Juno."

"Whip It!" is about a small-town teen and reluctant beauty-pageant contestant who joins a female roller derby team, Variety.com said.

Real-life roller derby star Shauna Cross, known professionally as Maggie Mayhem, wrote the script.

"I really admire how Drew constantly challenges herself as an artist," Page told Variety.com. "She's proven herself as an actress and a producer and I have no doubt she'll bring great vision and creativity to the director's chair. I can't wait to kick ass on wheels!"

The movie is to begin shooting in the summer in Texas, the trade paper said.