'I Love You,' Hayden Panettiere!

"Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere hits the big screen this summer as the object of a nerd's affections in 'I Love You, Beth Cooper' -- and she talks to ET about her new comedic role!

"It's an adventure, it's funny and it's just a feel-good film," says Hayden. "It was fun to do a comedy as opposed to drama, and that's the whole point of acting -- getting to create these different characters and play people other than yourself. It's nice to spread youur wings a little bit."

The film follows a nerdy valedictorian (Paul Rust) declaring his love for the most popular girl in school, Beth Cooper (Panettiere). This proclamation takes him on the ride of his life with the girl he adores.

"For me, it's an homage to the guy who was very responsible for my career, John Hughes," says director Chris Columbus. "I love those movies -- 'Sixteen Candles,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' -- and this movie is an homage to those movies because I wanted to create an '80s vibe."

'I Love You, Beth Cooper' hits theaters July 10.

Posted July 05, 2009 3:24:00 PM
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