Karyn Kusama Will Direct Jennifer’s Body, Diablo Cody’s Next Script

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 8, 2008

We can’t say enough about the beautifully sharp script penned by Diablo Cody for the film Juno, a film that I called “the best film of the year by a mile.” So its reasonable to think that we would be all over Cody’s next project Jennifer’s Body, a horror flick in development at Fox Atomic with Juno director Jason Reitman attached to produce. The film follows a demon-possessed cheerleader who begins eating boys in her small Minnesota town, and it is up to her best friend to find a way to stop her.

My good friend Pete over at /film reported today that Karyn Kusama, director of the Sundance Grand Jury award winning Girl Fight in 2000, has signed on to direct the flick with the previously reported Megan Fox in the starring role as the demonic cheerleader. Having read the script myself, I can say that this is one of those scripts that can go either way, based on how it is handled. And even though Kasuma has the live-action AEonFlux starring Charlize Theron on her resume, I don’t think that means we should start heading for the hills right away. Jason Reitman’s involvement is what could keep this whole thing together, as he seems to have a gift for crafting films that are always fresh and entertaining. The only hitch is that he is producing rather than directing.

With that said, there is nothing yet that indicates that Fox Atomic is going to make another stinker — the script is great, the producer is right and the director has shown some serious potential. This could turn out to be a fun little horror flick. Oh, and did I mention Megan Fox in a cheerleader outfit? Who cares if she can’t act…

Jennifer’s Body will begin shooting in March 2008, with no release date announced as of yet.

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