March 7, 2015 - 10:57 AMT
Octavia Spencer to play God in “The Shack” bestseller adaptation

Octavia Spencer wants to play God. And she will, entering final negotiations to star in Lionsgate’s “The Shack,” based on William P. Youngs novel, TheWrap reports.

The bestselling novel, released in 2007, follows a man whose youngest daughter is abducted during a family vacation, with all evidence leading to her having been murdered. Years later, he receives a note which appears to be from God, urging him to reexamine the shack centrally linked to his daughter’s disappearance.

Stuart Hazeldine is directing the adaptation. Gil Netter is producing through Netter Productions along with Brad Cummings.

Spencer won an Oscar for her role in Tate Taylor‘s “The Help,” and also starred in the director’s “Get On Up.” Most recently Spencer was a series regular on Fox drama “Red Band Society,” which was canceled after one season.

She’ll next be seen opposite Shailene Woodley in Lionsgate’s YA franchise sequel “The Divergent Series: Insurgent.”

The news was first broken by Variety.