Diablo Cody to Make Directorial Debut with LAMB OF GOD

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.

Here’s the full press release:

DIABLO CODY, MASON NOVICK AND MANDATE PICTURES PRAISE ‘LAMB OF GOD’

Los Angeles, CA (June 29, 2011) – Mandate Pictures has acquired an original screenplay by Diablo Cody, LAMB OF GOD, which will mark her feature directorial debut.  Mason Novick (500 DAYS OF SUMMER) will produce. Mandate president Nathan Kahane will executive produce alongside Diablo Cody.  Mandate has the project on the fast track and will begin casting right away.

The comedy follows a young conservative religious woman who loses her faith after a plane crash, decides to go to Las Vegas to live the life of a sinner, and on her journey finds her way back to her faith.

Kahane said, “Having been in the trenches with Diablo and Mason on JUNO and YOUNG ADULT, we immediately jumped at the opportunity to partner with them again.  It’s an honor to be a part of Diablo’s transition as a director.”

LAMB OF GOD marks the third collaboration with Cody, Novick and Mandate after their successful partnerships on JUNO and YOUNG ADULT, which will be released by Paramount Pictures.  JUNO, directed by Reitman and written by Cody, garnered a host of accolades, including an Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay (Diablo Cody) and three Academy Award® nominations for Best Motion Picture (Lianne Halfon, Mason Novick and Russell Smith, Producers), Best Actress, and Best Director.  The $227 million box-office and critical sensation was released by Fox Searchlight in late 2007.

Diablo Cody is represented by Sarah Self at WME and attorney Jeff Frankel of McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP.  Dan Freedman, SVP of Business & Legal Affairs, and Allison Strina, VP of Business & Legal Affairs, negotiated the deals for Mandate.