Bringing Ramona and Beezus to Life

Jul 27, 2010 22:14


Rambunctious Ramona Quimby has been capturing kids' imaginations ever since the Ramona series was first published back in 1955, but it took over half a century before she and her big sister Beezus brought their antics to the big screen. Ramona and Beezus (based mostly on Ramona Forever, the seventh book in the series) was released July 23, with Joey King and Selena Gomez as the title sisters. Bringing two such beloved, classic characters to life might have daunted other young actresses, but Joey and Selena are taking it in stride.



Joey and Selena at the New York City premiere of Ramona and Beezus, July 2010

One reason is that there's a little bit of Ramona and Beezus in both of them. "I have a huge imagination, like Ramona, [and] a big personality, but there's some similarities and some differences between me and Ramona as well," ten-year-old Joey said about what she has in common with her character. Selena, age 18, put in, "I'm not really comfortable in my skin as much as Beezus is, but I do try to do my best in school."

But what shines through most in the film is the sisterly bond that Joey and Selena formed during filming. According to Joey, the two have been fast friends since day one: "I wasn't star-struck by her. I think we really hit it off the first time we met." Even after filming wrapped, the two could be seen shopping, eating out, and going to the movies together. "She's like my sister now, and I never had a sibling, so she's as close as I've got," says Selena of how "inseparable" she and Joey have become.

To get their roles, Joey was selected from a nationwide casting call, while Selena beat out Miley Cyrus, 17, who was originally in talks to play Beezus but lost the role due to her five-million dollar asking price and wild behavior.



Joey cuddling with Selena, in a photo posted on Joey's twitter page. Awww!

selena gomez, joey king

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