'Kim's Convenience' star Andrea Bang and Robbie Amell are starring in beachy rom-com

After the success of The Kissing Booth and the After franchise, WattPad has launched another story into the Hollywood stratosphere. Float, which was originally published on the self-publishing platform by Kate Marchant, has been adapted for the silver screen, and is getting a major Canadian update.

Kim’s Convenience star Andrea Bang (she played Janet on the iconic TV show) will lead the cast, alongside fellow Canadian, Robbie Amell. The film, released by Lionsgate and Elevation Pictures, will be directed by frequent Kim’s Convenience director Sherren Lee. It is also currently shooting in Vancouver!

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Bang and cast have gathered for the shoot in Vancouver, after Float was read on WattPad by nearly 26 million people, and published by Marchant when she was only 17. Lee, who co-wrote the screenplay, worked with Marchant to update the film to include more Asian-Canadian representation.

The story, in which a pre-med student Waverly (Bang) spends the summer in a beach town and falls for handsome lifeguard Blake (Amell), wasn’t originally written with Asian-Canadians in mind, but Lee has updated the Waverly character, saying with the film announcement, “As a romantic myself, I want audiences to believe in love and that summer romances don’t only happen in the movies. I also want young Asian women to be able to see themselves represented on screen in a film for all audiences. I'm so grateful to Kate to have created this love story grounded in the theme of belonging, and allowed me to bring a piece of myself to this adaptation.”

“When I read Float, I saw myself in Waverly and connected to her journey in a very personal way,” Lee continued. “This story about family and belonging is such an universal one and also so poignant to me, as an immigrant. It was a beautiful opportunity to bring myself to the material while staying true to Kate’s moving story.”

Jeff Chan, who is co-producing the film alongside star Amell, said in a statement, “With Sherren directing and Andrea starring, we’re proud to have exceptional Asian-Canadian talent bringing this much anticipated love story to life and paving the way for a more inclusive industry, in front of and behind the camera.”

The cast also includes Andrew Bachelor (or King Bach as you might remember him from Vine and YouTube), Rukiya Bernard (Van Helsing), Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood), Sarah Desjardins (Riverdale), Ghazal Azarbad (Charmed) and Tristan Arthurs (Kung Fu).

Writing on Instagram, Bang called everyone involved in Float “wonderful” and “above and beyond people,” while Amell said on his IG, “we’re so lucky to have Andrea leading such an amazing cast!”

Marchant tweeted that she was, “So excited for this cast, this script, the location, EVERYTHING. Such a privilege to watch such talented people adapt my story. I can’t wait for you guys to see this movie!!!”

Lee tweeted that she was “so happy” to be creating this film alongside Wattpad Webtoon Studios’ Aron Levitz.

No word yet on possible release date or if it will available to stream online along with a standard theatrical release, but we are betting that its WattPad success will translate easily to box office sales!

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