The 2012 Black List has been released.  For those unfamiliar with the Black List, it’s usually described as a list of the most-liked unproduced screenplays circling Hollywood even though A) the list is promoted by people who have a vested interest in making sure the script gets into development so this is more of a sales technique than a serious evaluation; B) some of these scripts are in production.  In the case of the latter, Transcendence is in pre-production with Oscar-winning cinematographer Wally Pifster directing and Johnny Depp attached to star.  The highest-ranked film, Draft Day, is currently in turnaround with Kevin Costner set to star and Ivan Reitman on board to direct.

Noteworthy inclusions on the list are biopics of Hillary Clinton and Dr. Seuss as well as screenplays from Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four reboot), Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber ((500) Days of Summer), Eric Heisserer (Final Destination 5), Zack Whedon (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), and more.  Hit the jump for the full list.

Screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber have been tapped to adapt John Green’s critically hailed novel The Fault in Our Stars. The story centers on two cancer-stricken teens that meet in a support group and develop a relationship. The novel follows the two through the ups and downs of their disease, as they embolden each other to face an uncertain future. Deadline reports that Fox 2000 and producers Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen have set the (500) Days of Summer screenwriters to pen the adaptation.

I’ve heard nothing but great things about Green’s novel, so this should come as good news to fans of the book. Given how they successfully blended comedy and drama with Summer, Neustadter and Weber seem a nice fit to tackle this challenging material. The two recently scripted the period comedy Rosaline, which tells the Romeo and Juliet story from the point of view of Romeo’s jilted ex-lover. Mildred Pierce helmer Michael Suscy is set to direct that film with Lily Collins, Deborah Ann Woll and Dave Franco poised to star. The duo also adapted the teen-skewing The Spectacular Now for producer Shawn Levy. Hit the jump to read a synopsis for The Fault in Our Stars.

We have a couple quick casting stories for you this afternoon.  First up, Abigail Breslin has signed on to star in the dark indie drama The Class Project.  Per Variety, “Story follows two sisters who, tired of their mother’s alcoholism and her abusive boyfriends, take matters into their own hands and plot to kill her.”  I want to make fun of that logline, but it actually sounds like an intriguing premise and a nice development for the Little Miss Sunshine star.  Stan Brooks will direct from a script by Fabrizio Filippo and Adam Till.  Shooting begins later this month.

Breslin recently did some voice acting for Gore Verbinski’s Rango and she’ll next be seen in Gerry Marshall’s massive romantic comedy New Year’s Eve.  Hit the jump for casting news on the Romeo & Juliet spinoff/re-imagining, Rosaline.