With a two-month gap getting closed by two consecutive days of updates, The Spectacular Now appears to be in full business. Only some 24 hours after Miles Teller became the film’s star, Deadline reports that Brie Larson (21 Jump Street, Scott Pilgrim) has been commissioned for a primary role, Cassidy.

The film, from director James Ponsoldt (Smashed), revolves around a high school senior, Sutter (Teller), whose life is changed by his new girlfriend, Aimee (Shailene Woodley), after she convinces him to cut short his fledgling taste for alcohol. (Other elements of adolescent growth follow accordingly, from what I understand.) Although Deadline describes all that as a comedy, the subject matter (and general consensus) indicates something with a much more dramatic slant — but teen alcoholism can still be funny! (Sorry.)

Genre notwithstanding, the positive reception to Tim Tharp‘s original novel — which has since been translated by (500) Days of Summer writers Michael Weber & Scott Neustadter — strong onscreen lineup, and positive reception for Ponsoldt‘s previous film all generate a sense of optimism. With any luck, The Spectacular Now can be worthy of our expectations.

Next up, Variety informs us that Jemima West is next in line for The Mortal Instruments, a young adult fantasy what-have-you from Screen Gems; Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower (Breaking Dawn) are leading for director Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid).

Taking its cues from the Cassandra Clare-penned series, Instruments follows the adventures of Clary Fray (Collins), the newest member of a group called Shadowhunters — that is, “half-angel warriors” who secretly protect the world from demons. When her mother disappears, she and other Shadowhunters go to battle in the secret side of New York, Downworld, a place “filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.” You shouldn’t be surprised to hear Scott Stewart (Priest, Legion) was once attached to direct, but let’s hope Zwart can make a noticeable difference when handling the material.

The Mortal Instruments will open on August 23rd, 2013.

Is Larson the right person to put into Spectacular Now? What do you make of Mortal Instruments, overall?