Glee star Chris Colfer, who wrote and stars in the new film Struck by Lightning, out in theaters Friday, shared his experience about the movie’s road from concept to release in an exclusive guest post for EW. […]
Struck by Struck by Lightning
by Chris Colfer
To say the idea for Struck By Lightning hit me like a bolt of lightning would be an incredibly convenient way to start this piece but also the most accurate comparison I could make.
There I was, Chris Colfer, a 16-year-old, 200-pound overachieving-but-underappreciated high school sophomore — you could light a match off my acne and construct a steam engine with the metal in my mouth. School had been out for hours and I had just finished organizing a literary magazine for the Writer’s Club (of which I was president). It was a Friday afternoon and besides the janitors and the teachers staying late to avoid their spouses, I was the last person at school.
Chris Colfer is a busy man. Between making movies and playing Kurt Hummel on Glee, it’s a wonder he’s found any time at all to pursue a writing career. And yet, the 22-year-old is getting ready to release his second novel of the year next week.
Struck by Lightning follows Carson Phillips, a high school outcast who blackmails his peers into participating in his literary magazine. It’s already been filmed as a movie starring Christina Hendricks, Rebel Wilson and Colfer himself. Though the film won’t be out until next year, the book hits shelves on Nov. 20. Colfer took the time to talk to EW about his first young adult novel, his own high school experiences and that one time he dabbled in extortion himself. Read the interview below and check out an exclusive print excerpt and audio clip from Struck by Lightning afterwards!
“We dressed [Kurt] in Balenciaga, Hugo Boss and Dior and also brought back pieces like his hippo brooch to remind him of where he’s come from. These Paul Smith pants have a shark tooth print on them. When he’s at Vogue, he’s swimming with the sharks.” Glee costume designer Elizabeth Martucci (x)
What’s one style rule men could learn from Kurt?
Kurt is more sophisticated than in previous seasons. He’s starting to grow up and trying to find his place in the fast-paced fashion world. Fit makes such a difference in clothing, so having the time to fit and tailor it properly really sells the clothing and makes [the wearer] look great.
After the success of his best-selling middle-grade novel The Land of Stories, Glee star Chris Colfer will be publishing his first young-adult novel on Nov. 20. The upcoming novel, titled Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal, will be a book adaptation of his movie by the same name, which will be released by Tribeca Film later this year.
Struck By Lightning follows the story of outcast high school senior Carson Phillips, who blackmails the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal to bolster his college application; his goal in life is to get into Northwestern and eventually become the editor of The New Yorker. In addition to Colfer, the film stars Allison Janney, Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Hyland, and Polly Bergen.
Are you excited for Colfer’s first book for teens?
Chris Colfer in Entertainment Weekly “What’s Your Favorite Teen Movie?”
