MUMBAI: Twentieth Century Fox announced the casting of the principal roles of Diary Of A Wimpy Kid. Based on Jeff Kinney’s best-selling illustrated novel, the first in a series that has thus far sold over 20 million copies, the film begins shooting on 12 August in Vancouver.

Following a months-long nationwide casting search, Zachary Gordon nabbed the title role, aka middle-schooler Greg Heffley, in the Fox 2000 Pictures production. Robert Capron, who portrays Greg’s best friend Rowley, was one the first actors considered for the role, and remained the studio’s first choice through months of a national search.

Steve Zahn will play Greg’s dad, Frank Heffley, and Rachael Harris is the mom, Susan Heffley. Newcomer Devon Bostick joins the cast in the role of Greg’s older brother Rodrick, a key player in Kinney’s book series.

Kinney’s book chronicles the adventures of wisecracking middle school student Greg Heffley over the course of an academic year, as told through the young man’s diary and hand-drawn cartoons. Kinney, who is an executive producer on the film, was recently named by TIME magazine as one of the world’s most influential people.

Directed by Thor Freudenthal from a screenplay by Jeff Filgo & Jackie Filgo and Jeff Judah & Gabe Sachs, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid is produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Carla Hacken and Nick D’Angelo are overseeing the project for Fox 2000 Pictures.

Twentieth Century Fox will release Diary Of A Wimpy Kid on 2 April, 2010.