Halifax’s Ellen Page has been cast as the lead in the film “Whip It,” which marks the directing debut of actress Drew Barrymore, Variety magazine reports.

Page, 20, will play a Texas teen who joins a female roller derby team much to the chagrin of her parents, who want her to pursue beauty pageants, says Variety’s website. Roller derby star Shauna Cross, author of “Derby Girl,” penned the screenplay.Page is quoted in the Variety article as saying she’s excited to work with Barrymore and that she “can’t wait to kick ass on wheels!”

“Whip It” is slated to begin shooting in Texas in the summer, says Variety.

The film is being made by Mandate Pictures, which was also behind “Juno,” the critically acclaimed movie that has earned Page widespread accolades and a Golden Globe nomination for her role as a sarcastic pregnant teen.

Page and the rest of the “Juno” cast talked about the film on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” on Wednesday.

A humble Page told the talk show host she isn’t letting the success go to her head.

“I’m sitting next to Oprah right now on a couch,” she said. “I’m just so grateful to be in the film in the first place. It’s a huge gift.”

The appearance comes after Page charmed the audience of the “Late Show With David Letterman” earlier this month with tales of her hometown.

Letterman expressed an interest in visiting Nova Scotia during the interview, prompting the premier to extend an official invitation.

Rodney MacDonald even went on video to play the fiddle and read a Top 10 list of reasons for Letterman to visit the Maritime province, but the late-night talk show host didn’t bite.

Source: Canadian Press