Abigail Breslin to star in indie comedy, A Virgin Mary

It's been five years since Abigail Breslin warmed the hearts of millions in the surprise hit summer comedy, Little Miss Sunshine. Since then her career has been a mixed bag, as it usually is with anybody looking to transition from just being a perky child actress into more mature stuff. My Sister's Keeper shopped her acting chops with her solid even if the film wasn't, but she's found the most recent success as part of the horror-comedy, Zombieland. Just a few months ago she lost out to Jennifer Lawrence for the lead in The Hunger Games, a decision that would have turned that film in a totally different direction.

She's making some interesting choices, though, which I think bodes well for her future. Variety is reporting that Breslin has signed on to Beth Schacter's indie comedy, A Virgin Mary, which sees her as a girl who promises to have sex with her best friend(Carter Jenkins) if they're both virgins when they hit 18 years old.  Keke Palmer(Akeelah and the Bee) and Daryl Sabara(Spy Kids) co-star.

Schacter wrote the script as well, which is being described as in the tradition of Sixteen Candles. Big shoes to fill, my friend. This'll be her follow-up to the woeful sequel, Havoc 2: Normal Adolescent Behavior. 

Breslin's already got a lot on her plate. She'll be seen next in the indie film, Janie Jones(trailer will be up in a few minutes) opposite Alessandro Nivola(Junebug). She'll also appear as part of Garry Marshall's New Year's Eve ensemble, and will appear in the crime flick, The Class Project.