Diablo Cody to Write and Produce Sweet Valley High

The Wakefield twins are about to be back, this time with wittier repartee and pop culture references. Diablo Cody, she of the Juno and The United States of Tara awesome (can't speak to Jennifer's Body; haven't seen it yet) will be adapting the Sweet Valley High books into a screenplay and producing the big-screen version.

I'm pretty excited about this news. I was a devotee of the Sweet Valley High books. Though, admittedly, I was more invested in the trials and tribulations of Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, Stacey, and the other residents of Stoneybrook who made up The Baby-Sitters Club. But I definitely reveled in the tales of two blonde beauties in California. I grew up with Barbies, and was an awkward redhead in Pennsylvania, so my idea of childhood glamor was a tad skewed, you see.

Cody has leaked the the film will be set in the 80s. I haven't read anything yet that indicates if it will be geared toward teens or people who read the books as teens (in other words, me). But whatever it's not like I won't be seeing it.

The burning question remains: who will play Elizabeth and Jessica? Hayden Panettiere? Dakota Fanning? *gulp* Miley Cyrus?

Comments

[Monica]

Sweeeeet! Such a major part of my childhood. (as was Babysitters Club) Added bonus if it is set in the '80's. Can't wait.

[Alyssa]

Bite your lip with that Miley Cyrus stuff! You'll jinx it!

Don't girls today still read Sweet Valley High? I had the board game. It will be interesting to see what direction they take this in. I am definitely intrigued. I was also much bigger on BSC, but I felt much cooler when I was reading about the twins. And their "perfect size 6" figures. Yeah... very healthy stuff for young girls.

[jodifur]

But which books will it be? The early ones? The ones where Elizabeth gets kidnapped and morphs into Jessica and gasp! takes off her bathing suit top! Who will play her boyfriend?

I cannot wait.

[Laurie]

I think it could be great. I hope it doesn't become some sort of caricature film, I am excited to see how this plays out! I loved Jessica and Elizabeth growing up - even won some of the old books in a silly contest forever ago! Ha ha!

[Just Shireen]

I'm pretty sure I have every sing Sweet Valley High book there is, including the "scary" ones. I could not be more stoked that Diablo Cody is remaking Sweet Valley High. I trust she has enough common sense to keep Miley Cyrus out it.

[Laurie]

Jodifur - I hope it's the one where Todd and Jeffrey fight over Elizabeth!

[sherry]

I'm kind of excited since I loved those books. But I will be disgusted if Miley gets any part at all in it.

I'd love to see Zac Efron as Bruce Patterson. :D

[sherry]

I'm kind of excited since I loved those books. But I will be disgusted if Miley gets any part at all in it.

I'd love to see Zac Efron as Bruce Patterson. :D

[Renee]

This is the only way she could have redeemed herself after that Megan Fox atrocity.

By the way, SVH is alive and well on the internets. Do you guys already know about thedairiburger.wordpress.com? Because if you don't, you should.

[PaintingChef]

HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!

[Angela]

LOL, these were my introduction to teen romance novels before I hit the Harlequin books hard.

Who will play Todd, that's the real question. Maybe I read a lot more into the books than they had, (or it's all mixed up with the trashy romances I read shortly afterwards) but I remember Elizabeth and Todd as being a pretty steamy couple. Like Twilight without the vampires. Or the rain. And with a lot of blondes.

[lori]

OMG! I was just talking about these to my friend yesterday and she didn't know anything about them!! How can that be? She's my age-ish (2 years older). I had every SVH book up to about 45 or so and loved them all deeply. I think they were sold by my parents at a garage sale (or just tossed) years ago. I wish i had them back now.

I have no idea who i'd like to see in the roles but i can't wait to see how they handle the material.

[Alex]

SQUEEEE! That is fantastic news! I can not wait!

[Issa]

I thought someone had made this into a show already? Don't think it lasted long though.

I loved those books, but like you preferred the BS Club.

[steff]

AHHHHHHHH!!! Love me some SVH! Remember when they came out with the Sweet Valley University books after they graduated from HS and Jessica was living with some older guy? And how about the short lived TV series starring Britney Daniels and her twin sister whose name is escaping me right now? OMG i am SUCH a nerd. PS - Baby Sitters Club ruled hardcore too. Maybe more...

[jodifur]

Laurie-yes! And remember Bruce? The jerky tennis guy?