SAGINAW COUNTY, Mich. -- A new comedy film about female roller derby is skating its way to Birch Run Township Monday.

Crew members from the Drew Barrymore-directed movie “Whip It!” have began production at the former Ken’s Diner on M-83 just north of Birch Run Road.

The movie, which stars Barrymore, Ellen Page of "Juno" and Juliette Lewis, began filming in Texas and Southeast Michigan in late July. Page will play an ex-beauty pageant contestant in a small Texas town who sneaks off to skate in the Austin roller derby league.

Hollywood crews transformed the Mid-Michigan former diner into a fictional BBQ restaurant called the Oink Joint. "Whip It!" location managers told TV5 they will be closing M-83 down off and on during shooting.

In April, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation aimed at giving Michigan a bigger role in the film industry. The key bill in the package gave film studios a refundable credit of up to 42 percent on production expenses in the state.

The bills also cover commercials, TV shows, documentaries, video games and other film work.

In a press release announcing the film, Page said, "I really admire how Drew constantly challenges herself as an artist. She's proven herself as an actress and a producer, and I have no doubt she'll bring great vision and creativity to the director's chair.”

The $10 million production marks Barrymore's directorial debut.