Sneak peek: 'Paper Towns' isn't 'Fault 2'

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Author John Green wants to make clear that the film adaptation of his young adult novel Paper Towns is distinct from the 2014 adaptation of his The Fault in Our Stars.

To recap, Fault made millions cry last June with its portrayal of cancer-stricken young lovers, played by Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort. It became a generational touchstone while earning more than $300 million worldwide.

But for Paper Towns (opening July 24), think romantic dramedy instead of romantic drama.

"Paper Towns is very different from Fault in Our Stars, in every possible way," says Green. "Hollywood is so used to franchises. But this is not a series. It's an unrelated story that's beautiful and funny, and has a big heart."

There are connections, including the legions of Green followers who anticipate another coming-of-age tale. Paper Towns also stars Nat Wolff, who stole Fault scenes as the blind cancer patient Isaac.

In Paper Towns, Wolff is restrained, slightly dorky Quentin, or "Q," whose childhood changes when dream girl Margo (Cara Delevingne) moves next door. When they get to high school, the beautiful, impulsive Margo exists in a different social strata.

But she appears at Q's window for a night of adventure and revenge against the school's popular crowd, including spray-painting their doors and plastic-wrapping a car shut. The next morning Margo disappears, prompting Q to enlist his friends to hit the road to find her.

"She leaves Q clues. He thinks if he follows, he'll reconnect with the girl of his dreams," says director Jake Schreier. "It becomes this adventure."

Green acknowledges that he was hesitant about casting the 22-year-old British supermodel.

"When I heard (Delevingne) was auditioning, it was like, 'No.' Of course I thought that was crazy," says Green. "But then I saw the audition. She understood Margo in ways that no one I have ever met understands Margo."

New Yorker Wolff, 20, says stepping into the leading man role for the road-trip adventure required some big changes, such as getting his driver's license. "I quickly took, like, two lessons and by some miracle passed the test."

He describes hanging on the set with Green, who was a constant, positive presence. At night, Wolff would spent late hours with his onscreen buddies Austin Abrams (Ben) and Justice Smith (Radar) at their apartment complex.

"We called each other by (our) characters' names. We hung out constantly. We thought about the movie all the time," Wolff says. "This world became kind of real.

"And then it's over. Sometimes it's easier to shake a character. But I almost wanted Paper Towns to be my life."