Dakota Fanning to play accused baby killer in 'Every Secret Thing'

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Dakota Fanning and Danielle Macdonald have joined the cast of "Every Secret Thing," which Amy Berg is to begin directing in New York next month.

Likely Story, Merced Media Partners, Palmstar Media Capital and Hyde Park International announced the casting news Thursday.

Co-starring Diane Lane and Elizabeth Banks, the film is to begin principal photography March 25.

Nicole Holofcener penned the screenplay, based on Laura Lippman's 2004 novel.

"The story follows two 11-year-old girls who are convicted of murdering a baby and are incarcerated until they turn 18," a synopsis said. "Upon their release, children start to go missing; as the police turn their attention to the duo, the mystery surrounding the original murder comes back to light."

Fanning and Macdonald will play the accused killers, while Lane will play the mother of one of the girls, a woman who has long known her daughter is a gifted liar. Banks will play the lead police officer, who finds herself emotionally involved in the case, the synopsis said.