EXCLUSIVE: Milo Ventimiglia is set to produce and star in the indie film adaptation of Marc Spitz‘s autobiographical novel How Soon Is Never? As its title suggests, the story has a connection to seminal 1980s band The Smiths. Spitz’s book is about a rock journalist who, in trying to get his own life back on track, attempts to reunite the band. In real life, The Smiths broke up in 1987 and individual members have sworn they would never reunite. Haven Entertainment and Ventimiglia’s DiVide Pictures have partnered to acquire rights to the novel. The film, scheduled to start production in 2013, will be produced by Ventimiglia and Russ Cundiff along with Haven Entertainment partners Matthew Perniciaro and Kevin Mann. Kirsten Ames will serve as executive producer. The producers tell Deadline they are currently pursuing rights to the band’s music for the film. Ventimiglia starred on NBC’s Heroes, next appears in the upcoming Grace Of Monaco alongside Nicole Kidman, and stars in Crackle’s original thriller web series Chosen, which premieres January 17. He is repped by CAA and Management 360.

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