New Bern, N.C. — The new film “Nights in Rodanthe,” adapted from the book by North Carolina author Nicholas Sparks, is set in the tiny coastal town located in the Outer Banks.

“It’s just this magical little barrier island,” Sparks told WRAL News. “To me, I think the setting plays a role.”

Locations in the Tar Heel state are a consistent theme in Sparks’ books.

“Not only do I live here and find it beautiful...I find it easy to find the appropriate place, the atmosphere I’m trying to create in a scene,” Sparks said.

“Rodanthe” stars Diane Lane as “Adrienne Willis,” a woman who retreats to the tiny coast town of Rodanthe to watch a bed and breakfast for the weekend for her friend. The only guest to check in is Dr. Paul Planner (Richard Gere).

“These are two characters who are, I guess, you could say lonely. They’re wounded individuals,” Sparks said.

“Rodanthe” is the third film starring Lane and Gere. They previously starred together in “Unfaithful” in 2002 and 1984’s “The Cotton Club.” Sparks praises the chemistry between the two stars and director George C. Wolfe.

“When you add this chemistry to a director who’s really trying to pull out full performances, you get the feeling like this is a film you haven’t seen before,” Sparks said.

Sparks described the film as very performance driven similar to “something like ‘Casablanca’ from the 1940s.”

Though the film was shot not far from Sparks’ home, he said he didn’t visit the set very often for fear he would be a distraction.

Sparks’ latest book, “The Lucky One,” comes out next week.