Efron filming 'Lucky One' in New Orleans

BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Principal photography has begun in New Orleans on the big-screen adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's novel "The Lucky One," Warner Bros. said.

The film, starring Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Blythe Danner, is being directed by writer/director Scott Hicks, whose credits include "Shine" and "No Reservations."

Hicks is directing the movie from a screenplay by Will Fetters, who wrote "Remember Me."

The producers of "The Lucky One" are Denise Di Novi, who previously produced Sparks's novel-to-film adaptations of "A Walk to Remember," "Nights in Rodanthe" and "Message in a Bottle," and Kevin McCormick, who worked on the upcoming "Arthur" remake.

Ravi D. Mehta, Alison Greenspan and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers, and Kerry Heysen is co-producer.

The film is being shot in and around New Orleans, La., notably in the surrounding communities of St. Bernard Parish, Covington, Abita Springs, Burnside, Ponchatoula and Madisonville. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Co. and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.