Jason Reitman may be directing Young Adult, a dark romantic comedy with a script from Diablo Cody. Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron is also in talks to join the film. Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, Mason Novick, and Cody are producing the film at Mandate.
The story follows a divorced writer (Theron) who returns to her hometown after an identity crisis and begins stalking her high school sweetheart.
If Reitman joins the film, it will reunite him with Juno collaborator Cody. The duo’s previous effort grossed over $200 million on a $7 million budget, and won Cody an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Reitman’s most recent film, Up In The Air, was nominated for 6 Oscars, while Cody’s horror film Jennifer’s Body was a critical and commercial bust. Cody’s short screenwriting career is already a controversial one, her belabored slang and pop culture-filled scripts have inspired both devoted fans and venemous detractors. Young Adult may not inspire the same furious divisions, as The Playlist’s script review said the script was “Cody’s most mature effort to date”, and had largely dispensed with the distracting dialogue style. Whatever your feelings about Juno, I hope that Reitman and Cody manage to get back co-star Jason Bateman for the “high-school sweetheart” role, as it would reunite Arrested Development’s funniest romantic couple. MR. F!
Source: THR