‘The Hate U Give’ screenwriter Audrey Wells dies at 58

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Audrey Wells, who wrote and directed the 2003 romantic comedy “Under the Tuscan Sun,” has died after a five-year battle with cancer.

A representative from United Talent Agency says Wells died Thursday. She was 58.

The San Francisco native had early jobs as a disc jockey at a local jazz station and in public radio before making the transition to film. She wrote the screenplays for films like “The Truth About Cats and Dogs” and “Shall We Dance.” Her directorial debut was “Guinevere,” starring Sarah Polley.

Wells wrote the screenplay for the critically-acclaimed new film “The Hate U Give,” an adaptation of the young adult novel about a police shooting of a young black man. The film is now playing in limited release before it expands nationwide Oct. 19.