She’s done indie (Juno), horror (Jennifer’s Body, the upcoming Evil Dead remake) and dark comedy (Young Adult). Now could Diablo Cody be doing a movie musical?
While gracing the red carpet at the recent Critics’ Choice Awards, the Oscar-winning writer/director hinted that her film adaptation of Sweet Valley High – a project she dished on back in November – might turn into a musical. Cody informed MTV’s Josh Horowitz that original songs for the movie are being written by “Tony and Pulitzer winning songwriters from Broadway,” namely Next to Normal composers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkie. (Only the best for the Wakefield twins, am I right?) When pushed to confirm whether or not the residents of Sweet Valley, California will spontaneously break out into song and dance, however, the former stripper-turned-Hollywood darling could only give an uncharacteristaclly coy, “Perhaps it is.” What a tease. [MTV]
Cody continued to reveal other details about the movie, including her nostalgic hopes of capturing some of the “’80s awesomeness” that defined the original young adult series. Started by author Francine Pascal in 1983, the books revolved around the lives of West Coast teens dealing with the drama of being beautiful, popular and privileged, making them the adolescent guilty reading pleasure of choice for over two decades. As for casting news, Sweet Valley fans will have to wait since Cody confirmed that no one is in the running to play the iconic Wakefield sisters, or anyone else for that matter. Check out the video below.
Do you think Sweet Valley High will translate successfully into a musical? Who do you think should be cast?