Diablo Cody

Diablo Cody Talks YOUNG ADULT, the EVIL DEAD Remake, SWEET VALLEY HIGH, Her Directorial Debut, and a Lot More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 16th, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Now playing in limited release is director Jason Reitman’s (Up in the Air) great new movie, Young Adult.  Written by Diablo Cody (Juno), the film centers on an alcoholic young adult novelist (Charlize Theron) who ventures back to her hometown in order to pursue her now-married high school boyfriend (Patrick Wilson).  Patton Oswalt co-stars as Theron’s former classmate.  While Young Adult could have easily taken the familiar steps of “bad person goes home and turns everything around”, I’m happy to report Reitman and Cody have crafted a unique movie that should not be missed.  It’s definitely one of my favorites of the year and I’m pretty sure Theron is going to get a nomination for her portrayal of Mavis Gary.  Watch the trailer here and some clips here.

Anyway, I recently got to speak with Cody in New York City.  During the interview she talked about the way she writes, how the idea for Young Adult came about, her karaoke song, what she’s learned about Hollywood over the past few years, and her relationship with Jason Reitman.  In addition, with Cody having worked on the remake of Evil Dead, she talked about what her work on the project entailed and calls the script “unbelievably violent.” Finally, I got an update on her directorial debut and a script that’s so autobiographical and personal that she wants to wait ten years before it’s produced.  Hit the jump to read or watch the interview.

YOUNG ADULT Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 9th, 2011 at 5:13 am

“Magical” may be an odd word to describe a dark comedy as intentionally depressing, uncomfortable, and mean as Young Adult.  But there is a magic in watching a writer, a director, and an actor craft a captivating character who keeps the audience guessing to what’s in her head.  In creating Mavis Gary, screenwriter Diablo Cody, director Jason Reitman, and actress Charlize Theron do far more than simply put a mean girl from high school under the magnifying glass.  There’s inarguably a state of arrested development for Mavis, but what keeps her interesting is if she knows how pathetic she really is.  Throughout the movie, I kept wondering, “Does she know she’s deluding herself?  Does she know how much she’s embarrassing herself and is she just trying to ignore it?”  Mavis could have easily turned into a David Brent-type where the obliviousness is both hilarious and cringe-inducing.  Cody, Reitman, and Theron provide a dramatic weight to that obliviousness.  Young Adult only stumbles when the film tries to take a shortcut at the end to force her in a particular direction.  But everything that comes before is a nasty, delightful piece of work

The Remake of EVIL DEAD Hits Theaters on April 12, 2013

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 8th, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Sony Pictures has set the remake of Sam Raimi‘s 1981 horror film Evil Dead (or “The Evil Dead” if you want to be OCD about it) for April 12, 2013.  The original movie centered on five twenty-somethings who headed up to stay in a cabin in the woods (the worst place anyone on Earth can ever be) only to be met with the horrors wrought forth from the Necronomicon (the Book of the Dead).  The movie spawned the sequels Evil Dead II (considered to be the best in the franchise) and the goofy horror-action film Army of Darkness, all starring groovy chainsaw-wielding protagonist Ash (Bruce Campbell).  Newcomer Fede Alvarez was brought on board to direct the remake after Raimi and producing partner Rob Tapert were impressed by his short film “Panic Attack”.  Diablo Cody was then hired to revise Alvarez’ original script.  Last month, Cody told Steve that the remake would be “unbelievably violent“.

No other movie is currently slated to open on April 12, 2013 [Box Office Mojo]

Holly Hunter Joins Diablo Cody’s Untitled Directorial Debut

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 8th, 2011 at 11:12 am

Holly Hunter has signed on to co-star in Diablo Cody‘s untitled directorial debut.  Foremerly titled Lamb of God, the movie centers on a young woman (Julianne Hough) who loses her faith after a plane crash and decides to go to Las Vegas to experience the wild side of life.  Russell Brand will play “an unlikely companion (Brand) who inadvertently helps her find her true self” while The Help‘s Octavia Spencer has been cast as “a card dealer at the casino where Brand’s character works.”  According to Deadline, Hunter will play Hough’s “conservative and overprotective mother.”

Hunter recently wrapped filming on the Walden Media drama Won’t Back Down and playing the title character Antoinette Beumer’s indie flick Jackie.  She’ll also be reuniting with her The Piano director Jane Campion for the BBC/Sundance Channel miniseries Top of the Lake. Filming on Cody’s movie begins in the spring.

Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, and Screenwriter Diablo Cody YOUNG ADULT Interview

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 6th, 2011 at 9:12 am

Opening in limited release this weekend is director Jason Reitman’s (Up in the Air) great new movie, Young Adult.  Written by Diablo Cody (Juno), the film centers on an alcoholic young adult novelist (Charlize Theron) who ventures back to her hometown in order to pursue her now-married high school boyfriend (Patrick Wilson).  Patton Oswalt co-stars as Theron’s former classmate.  While Young Adult could have easily taken the familiar steps of “bad person goes home and turns everything around”, I’m happy to report Reitman and Cody have crafted a unique movie that should not be missed.  It’s definitely one of my favorites of the year and I’m pretty sure Theron is going to get a nomination for her portrayal of Mavis Gary.  Watch the trailer here and here’s some clips.

Anyway, I recently got to attend a press conference in New York City with Theron, Oswalt, Cody.  They talked about how the project came together, the idea of going against what we normally see on movie screens, the soundtrack and music from the ’90s, their own high school experiences, actors and directors they really admire, the rehearsal process, and so much more.  Hit the jump to check it out.

Exclusive: Screenwriter Diablo Cody Talks EVIL DEAD Remake; Calls it ‘Unbelievably Violent’

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 18th, 2011 at 12:40 pm

A few months ago we reported Fede Alvarez was going to write and direct an Evil Dead remake, with Diablo Cody doing some script revisions.  Now before you get up in arms that Evil Dead is being remade, it’s important to know that director Sam Raimi and original producing partners Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell are very much involved in the film.  Based on the original team’s inclusion, this is one of those projects I’m very curious about.

However, while we knew the remake was moving ahead as evidence by the premiere of the new logo at AFM and Lionsgate’s selling of international rights, no one was quite sure exactly how much work Cody had done on the script.  So when I spoke to her today for her great new movie Young Adult, she was more than willing to talk about her involvement on the film.  She said that she mostly handled dialogue and character, and addressed concerns people may have about her involvement by assuring me that she had no intention of infusing Evil Dead with “wacky dialogue and cute stuff” from Juno. In addition, she said the script is “unbelievably violent” and that the director’s draft was “really scary.”  Hit the jump for more.

Synopses and Info on 2012 Lionsgate Films Including the EVIL DEAD Remake, Spike Lee’s OLD BOY, MURDER OF A CAT, FLIGHT 7500, and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 31st, 2011 at 12:17 pm

Each year, a number of films are presented and sold at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. The 2011 AFM takes place this week, and in preparation for the AFM, Lionsgate has compiled production information and synopses for the properties that they plan to sell at the convention to both domestic and international buyers (for the territories that they have the rights). Lucky for us, that info is now public, and we’ve pulled together cast, director, and writer information as well as official synopses for some high profile 2012 Lionsgate films. We’ve got info on the Evil Dead remake, Spike Lee’s English-language adaptation of the now classic Park Chan-wook film Old Boy, Diablo Cody’s directorial debut, the comedy Murder of a Cat starring Jay Baruchel, Alison Pill, and Rob Lowe, and much more. Hit the jump for all the details.

Julianne Hough Talks FOOTLOOSE, ROCK OF AGES and LAMB OF GOD

by Christina Radish    Posted: October 14th, 2011 at 1:35 am

After conquering the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars and soaring to the top of the country music charts with her singing, of course Julianne Hough would also want to try her hand at acting on the big screen. And, what better way for her to do so then as the female lead in director Craig Brewer’s take on the 1984 classic Footloose. As Ariel, the rebellious preacher’s daughter, Hough got to utilize her known talent as a dancer, while drawing from her own experiences growing up in a religious family where she had to fight for attention among her brothers and sisters. What results is a performance that not only can she be proud of, but that will also establish her as a true triple threat.

At the film’s press day, Julianne Hough sat down with Collider for this exclusive interview about the challenge of starting from scratch with her acting career, her desire to fight for the role because it was something she wanted to show people that she could do, how much she really identified with Ariel, the instant chemistry that she had with her co-star Kenny Wormald, and how important dancing is, in her own life. She also talked about how incredible the experience of making Rock of Ages was, how excited she is to work with Diablo Cody for Lamb of God, and how she plans to start a production company with her brother, Derek Hough. Check out what she had to say after the jump:

First Trailer for Jason Reitman’s YOUNG ADULT [Updated with Alternate Trailer]

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 11:24 am

The first trailer for Jason Reitman’s Young Adult has gone online.  Written by Diablo Cody, the story centers on an alcoholic writer of young adult fiction (Charlize Theron) who decides to return to her small hometown and pursue her high-school boyfriend (Patrick Wilson) even though he’s now happily married and has a young child.  What I dig about this trailer is that it is almost entirely devoid of sentiment.   Charlize Theron’s character is apparently just a sad, selfish person and Theron looks like she’s having some fun with the role when she’s not giving a dead-eyed stare. The film also stars Patton Oswalt, J.K. Simmons, and Elizabeth Reaser.  Young Adult opens in limited release on December 2nd and expands nationwide the following weekend. [Update: Hit the jump to check out an alternate, slightly raunchy trailer]

Casting Call: Octavia Spencer Joins Diablo Cody’s Directorial Debut, Patricia Clarkson Heads to THE EAST, Michael Raymond-James Gets ONE SHOT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 5th, 2011 at 6:26 pm

We’ve got a few more casting stories for you this evening. First up, The Help star Octavia Spencer is in negotiations to join the cast of Diablo Cody’s untitled directorial debut. Penned by Cody, the comedy “follows a sheltered young woman (Julianne Hough) who loses her faith after a plane crash and decides to go to Las Vegas to experience the wild side of life.  On her journey, she meets an unlikely companion (Russell Brand) who inadvertently helps her find her true self.” Showblitz reports that Spencer will play a card dealer at the casino where Brand’s character works. Spencer was celebrated for her more dramatic turn in this summer’s hit drama The Help. She’s also in talks to star in the indie dramedy Smashed. Production on Diablo Cody’s untitled project (previously referred to as Lamb of God) is set to begin next Spring.

Hit the jump for casting news on the indie drama The East and the Tom Cruise thriller One Shot.

Russell Brand and Julianne Hough Confirmed to Star in Diablo Cody’s Directorial Debut

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 26th, 2011 at 10:29 am

Mandate Pictures has just sent out a press release announcing that Russell Brand and Julianne Hough (Footloose) will star in an untitled comedy directed by Diablo Cody from her own script.  We previously reported that Brand was offered the male lead and that Hough was in the running for the female lead so it looks like that all panned out.  However, the film was previously titled “Lamb of God” but now it looks like that title has been dropped.  The untitled comedy “follows a sheltered young woman (Hough) who loses her faith after a plane crash and decides to go to Las Vegas to experience the wild side of life.  On her journey, she meets an unlikely companion (Brand) who inadvertently helps her find her true self.”  Sounds a little cornball but I have faith that Cody has taken an interesting approach to the material.

Hit the jump for the full press release.  Mandate says the project is on a fast track for a spring start.

Russell Brand Offered Male Lead in Diablo Cody’s LAMB OF GOD

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: August 2nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm

Juno scribe Diablo Cody is set to make her directorial debut with a project she wrote called Lamb of God, and it sounds like she’s settled on her male lead. TwitchFilm reports that Russell Brand has been offered the co-lead role in the religious comedy. The story centers on a young conservative religious woman who heads to Las Vegas to live the life of a sinner following a plane crash that results in a loss of faith. One expects that Brand will play a flamboyant troublemaker of some sort from Sin City, but it would be a nice twist if the actor were instead playing one of the female lead’s religious cohorts.

There’s no word on who will nab the female role, but TwitchFilm says they’ve heard rumblings that Julianne Hough (Footloose) is in the running. I’m a fan of Cody’s work, and the prospect of her signature dialogue being delivered with a Brand flair is definitely intriguing. The screenwriter recently re-teamed with Juno director Jason Reitman for the drama Young Adult starring Charlize Theron, which hits theaters December 9^th.

Paramount Releasing Jason Reitman’s YOUNG ADULT to Limited Theaters on December 9, 2011; Wide Release the Following Week

by Jason Barr    Posted: July 25th, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Director Jason Reitman and scribe Diablo Cody’s dramedy Young Adult finally has a release date(s). Paramount has announced that it will open the film to limited theaters on December 9th, 2011, one week before rolling out the pic to a wide release on December 16th. For those unfamiliar with the project, Young Adult stars Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, J.K. Simmons, Patton Oswalt, and Elizabeth Reaser in the tale of a female fiction writer (Theron) who gets a divorce, moves back to her population-challenged Minnesota hometown, and pursues an ex-flame (Wilson) who is now married and a father.

Given the talent behind the project, and its end of the year release, I’m expecting the film to be an awards-season contender in some shape or form. As for its December 9th limited release, Young Adult will be going up against the ensemble rom-com New Year’s Eve. On the 16th, the pic will face some stiff box office competition in the form of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Meryl Streep’s The Iron Lady, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.

Official Announcement of THE EVIL DEAD Remake; Federico Alvarez Writing and Directing, Diablo Cody Doing Script Revisions

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 13th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

It’s official: The Evil Dead remake is alive and well. Ghost House Pictures announced today that Sam Raimi and original producing partners Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell are onboard to remake the horror classic. Following Campbell’s enthusiastic confirmation of the remake yesterday, we reported that Uraguay-native Fede Alvarez would be helming the film, and today’s press release confirms the director’s involvement. Apparently Raimi and Tapert were so impressed with Alvarez’s short film Panic Attack that they signed him to a blind deal, and shortly thereafter attached him to write and direct the Evil Dead remake. Hit the jump for more details, as well as the full press release.

Diablo Cody to Make Directorial Debut with LAMB OF GOD

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 29th, 2011 at 4:28 pm

Screenwriter Diablo Cody, who won an Oscar for her debut script Juno, is ready to try her hand at directing. The scribe is poised to make her directorial debut with Lamb of God, a comedy that she also wrote. The story centers on a young conservative religious woman who, after losing her faith following a plane crash, heads to Las Vegas to “live the life of a sinner.” However, during her new life of sin, she somehow regains her faith.

Mandate Pictures acquired the screenplay, and Mason Novick (500 Days of Summer) will produce. Cody recently re-teamed with Juno director Jason Reitman for Young Adult, which stars Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, and Patton Oswalt. Hit the jump to read the full press release regarding Lamb of God.

Copyright ©2005 - 2012. All Rights Reserved. California web design