Kristen Stewart: Million Dollar Baby
June 5 2009, Published 8:18 a.m. ET
Kristen Stewart has been making good impressions long before Bella Swan.
RadarOnline.com spoke with casting director Nancy Nayor, who placed Stewart in 2007's The Messegers, who said it was crucial to have the young star in their film--even if cost them six figures.
"When we cast Kristen for The Messengers, she was under 18. We added close to $1 million to the budget but we felt she was so special that we had to do it," said Nayer.
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"There was a big debate at the studio over whether to hire her because she was only 16, but after reading her, there was no question that creatively she was the only choice. We literally changed our business plan to put her in the movie," agreed fellow casting head Kelly Wagner.
The New Moon star next slated to play rocker Joan Jett in a biopic titled The Runaways.
(Photo: Everett Collection)