New Line Cinema has programmed Dakota and Elle Fanning to star opposite Cameron Diaz in the studio’s adaptation of Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper..

The last time the Fanning sisters were in the same movie ( I Am Sam and TV mini series Taken ), they played the same character at different ages.. Now they’ve been cast in a new movie in which they both exist for the same character..

Elle and Dakota, who are now 9 and 13 respectively, will star in Nick Cassavetes’ adaptation of My Sister’s Keeper alongside Cameron Diaz.. Based on the novel by Jodi Picoult, it’s the story of a young girl who was conceived solely for the purpose of being a genetic match for her older sister, who is suffering from cancer.. So, basically, Elle’s part is that of a literal tool, existing only for the extension of Dakota’s character’s life.. And I guess the parents don’t treat the younger enough like a real, intentional child, because she ends up divorcing her parents, kinda like little Drew Barrymore does in the largely forgotten gem from my youth, Irreconcilable Differences..

Diaz will be playing the mother of the two girls..

In the movie, Elle Fanning will play a young girl who sues for emancipation from her parents.. Mom and Dad conceived her as a genetic match with the hope she could prolong her cancer - ridden sister’s life..

Tearjerker veteran Nick Cassavetes ( The Notebook ) will direct from the script by Jeremy Leven..

Fans of the book will note that with Elle Fanning playing the younger sister and Dakota playing the eldest, the characters are now dramatically younger.. The change was made to keep the characters age - appropriate for Diaz, as their mother..

Keeper marks the first time the Fanning sisters will share screen time ( They didn’t share scenes in I Am Sam or Taken ), though it’s unclear what happened to the drama Hurricane Mary, on which they were supposed to team..

If there’s any competition between the Fannings for who will be the first to score an Oscar, this could be the movie in which to really shine.. For the older Fanning, Dakota, we’ve got a character dying of a disease, which at least used to be an Academy favorite for recognition ( Maybe if she was also mentally handicapped, she’d have more of a chance ).. Then for Elle, there’s the strong court - battle role, which typically serves up meaty performances.. I personally always like to see Dakota at her best, and partnered with her sister will bring out a performance I am looking forward to..

Production for My Sister’s Keeper is set to begin in March 2008..