If I Stay author Gayle Forman will be Executive Producer on the film adaptation of her book, and she speaks about it for the first time to Hypable.

Gayle Forman reveals exclusively to Hypable that she will be an Executive Producer on the film adaptation of her book, which is currently in pre-production.

For more of Forman’s thoughts on the If I Stay movie adaptation, read the full transcript of our interview on page 2.

Interview: Gayle Forman talks ‘If I Stay’

Hypable: Whose idea was it for you to act as an Executive Producer on ‘If I Stay’?

Gayle Forman: It was sort of a natural progression. I’d been in touch with the film’s producer, Alison Greenspan, for some time and was starting to become more involved with the process.

When R.J. Cutler came on board as director, I met him and it was clear that he was open to collaboration. So when the project moved to MGM , it seemed sort of natural to continue my input and to formalize it.

Why was it important to you to be creatively involved in the film?

Because the story behind If I Stay is personal to me, the film is personal to me, and I’ve always felt strongly that it should be done right.

Now, my control over it being done right is limited. It’s really up to the director, the producer, the screenwriter, the studio, and ultimately the actors. But if I can be a part of the process, particularly for this film, I wanted to.

What kind of involvement have you had so far, with regards to the script and the casting in particular?

I am consulted on a host of things, from seeing drafts of the script to casting choices to crew choices. It is amazing because I get to see just how much work and thought goes into making the film.

I also get to be a conduit between the fans, who have really been the engine of these books, and the film’s producers, who, the fans should know, care deeply about them. So many people are thinking so hard, not about sales or marketing, but about the character, and what feels true and resonant to the story. It’s so humbling to see.

As for the casting, it has been incredible to witness: It’s kind of like getting these amazing presents, one at a time, because every time someone new is brought on, it’s mind-blowing how perfect they are: First Chloe, then Mireille, then Jamie and Liana.

How do you balance the roles of author and EP? As an author I imagine you’re protective of the work and your characters, while as an EP you have different considerations.

It’s funny but I feel that the characters and story are in such good hands now that I’m not as protective of that as you might think. The script is great and the actors are incredible and R.J. is amazing. Everyone will bring their own interpretation to the story, which is how it should be.

The thing that’s hard is that the author in me wants to tell my readers EVERYTHING that is going on. Especially because If I Stay readers are so invested in this film, have been so patient and steadfast, and now that it’s happening, and happening in such an amazing way, I want to fill them in on every last detail. But I can’t.

The good news is that eventually there will be the film, and that will tell them everything they need to know.

‘If I Stay’ is a favourite for fan-casting, but the film now has its Mia and Adam. What do you think about these casting choices?

Readers constantly used to ask me who I saw playing Adam and Mia. And it was funny because in the early days, I loved Chloe Moretz, but she was too young. But enough time passed that she became the perfect age to play Mia so sometimes things happen for a reason.

But Adam? I never had a clue who should play him. The thing is, I didn’t realize just how difficult a character I’d written to cast until I heard the producer laying it out: Adam had to be hot and charismatic and vulnerable and able to play guitar and sing and be believable as someone on his way to rock stardom, but also able to do the heavy lifting acting required of the role.

How they found Jamie…I don’t know. But he is a knockout. Chloe is a knockout. The two of them together are….I’ll stop now.

There has been an onslaught of YA adaptations hitting the silver screen in the past few years, and many recent ones have been less than successful. Do you feel any added pressure due to this?

I operate by the same standards I do with my books, which is maybe a little naive, but it’s the only thing that keeps me sane: You make it about the work. If the work is strong, readers will find it.

Similarly, I have to focus on the quality of the film and believe if we make the best film we can, readers who loved If I Stay will respond to it, and people who’ve never heard of If I Stay will as well. Yes, there have been some YA adaptations that have been disappointing, some artistically, some commercially, some both.

But there seem to be more YA books than ever in the Hollywood pipeline right now, in spite of that. I think YA books lend themselves to film. They are big stories, often cinematic, and as we’ve found with the books, resonant to all ages.

But as for pressure, of course I feel it. A lot of people are putting in a lot of hard work and soul and money into making this film. Obviously, I want it to succeed on all levels

Any plans to do a cameo?

You know, we haven’t discussed it. But I don’t think I want to. I’m liking my role behind the scenes.