Duhamel, Hough to star in 'Safe Haven'

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 31 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Relativity Media says it has cast Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough in its upcoming film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel "Safe Haven."

Relativity President Tucker Tooley said Wednesday the film is to start production next month in Southport, N.C. for a Feb. 8 theatrical release.

Lasse Hallstrom is directing the film and Sparks will produce it through his Nicholas Sparks Productions company.

Relativity previously teamed up with Hallstrom and Sparks on the 2010 box-office hit "Dear John."

"I'm thrilled that Josh and Julianne have agreed to come aboard 'Safe Haven' -- it's hard to think of an actor better-suited to play the character of Alex than Josh, and Julianne will bring a combination of vulnerability and strength to the role of Katie. They are both such talented and charismatic individuals -- and best of all, they have tremendous personal chemistry, which is essential for this film," Sparks said in a statement.

"Safe Haven" is about a young woman's struggle to find love again after she arrives in a small North Carolina town. Her reluctance to join the tight-knit community raises questions about her past, a synopsis said.

Duhamel was most recently seen in "New Year's Eve" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." Hough starred in the 2011 remake of "Footloose" and will soon appear in "Rock of Ages."