Academy Award Winner Helen Hunt has joined the cast of the indie drama The Surrogate. Recent Oscar nominee John Hawkes is set to play the role of Mark O’Brien in the film based on a true story. O’Brien was “a paraplegic polio victim who lived most of his life in an iron lung, paralyzed from the neck down.” Hawkes’ character sets out to find a sex surrogate willing to take his virginity, and Variety reports that Hunt will take on the role of his surrogate. Rhea Pearlman also has a role in the film.

Hunt’s character struggles with her own life, coming to terms with explaining her profession to her 12-year-old son. Ben Lewin wrote and will direct the period flick set in the 1980’s. Lewin himself is a polio survivor.

A trailer for veteran television director Sean McNamara’s (personal favorite Even Stevens) Soul Surfer has landed online.  Starring AnnaSophia Robb (Bridge to Terabithia), Dennis Quaid, and Helen Hunt, the sports drama tells the true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack in 2003 only to return to the top of the competitive surfing world by 2005.

To check out the trailer for yourself, hit the jump.  Soul Surfer opens April 8th.

Sony Pictures has released the first image from the upcoming sports drama Soul Surfer.  The film tells “the true story of competitive teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, inspiring millions worldwide through her sheer determination and unwavering faith.”  Soul Surfer stars Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, AnnaSophia Robb, and Carrie Underwood.

Hit the jump to check out the first image from the movie.  Soul Surfer is slated to open on April 15, 2011.

Past American Idol winner and current best-selling country singer Carrie Underwood is set to make the jump to movies by co-starring in the indie drama Soul Surfer, the story of teen surfing champ/shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton.  According to Variety, the film is based on Hamilton’s biography and stars AnnaSophia Robb (Race to Witch Mountain) as the young surfer who “defied all odds to compete and win professional championships after losing her arm in a shark attack at age 13.”  Underwood plays the role of a church youth leader.  Out of curiosity, who was the ass-hole making odds and taking bets against the one-armed girl trying to become a surfing champion?

Directed by Sean McNamara (Bratz), the film co-stars Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Lorraine Nicholson and Kevin Sorbo.