The age-old question of whether things happen by accident or if there really is such a thing as destiny is at the core of Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel, The Lucky One. Scott Hicks, who directed the screen adaptation of The Lucky One, was immediately drawn to the premise that a chance event – finding a photo in the middle of nowhere — could change not only one man’s life, but the lives of everyone he comes into contact with – and it hooked him at the onset.  He liked the idea that the notion of destiny is quite central and that it was treated in a very realistic fashion.

We sat down with the Academy Award-nominated writer/director at a roundtable interview to talk about the genesis of the project and how he came to direct the movie after he was approached by Warner Bros. producer Denise Di Novi.  He told us why the actuality footage his son sent him links to on YouTube inspired the film’s visceral opening sequence, how he consulted with the Marines to lend authenticity to the film, how the shores of Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain passed for locations in Iraq, and what amazed him about Zac Efron’s and Jay Ferguson’s strong performances.  He also discussed the lasting impact of Shine.