Webber, Moreno Book Travel To Hawke's 'state'

Mark Webber and Catalina Sandino Moreno have signed on to star in the indie "The Hottest State." Michelle Williams, Josh Zuckerman, Ethan Hawke, Sonia Braga and Laura Linney round out the cast.

Hawke is helming from a screenplay he adapted from his novel, published by Little, Brown in 1996.

The story centers on a 21-year-old actor named William (Webber), who moves from Texas to New York and suffers through a wrenching heartbreak after a short-lived romance with a singer-songwriter named Sarah (Moreno).

The film will feature new songs performed by Willie Nelson and Norah Jones as well as original music by songwriter Jesse Harris.

"State," which began principal photography this week, is financed by Tokyo-based Entertainment Farm. The company's Yasushi Kotani and Taizo Son are executive producing, while Yukie Kito is producing along with Alexis Alexanian.

Webber, whose credits include "Broken Flowers" and "Storytelling," is repped by Innovative Artists and attorney Ira Schreck. Moreno, who earned an Academy Award nomination last year for "Maria Full of Grace," is repped by CAA.