Raechal Leone

It’s been far too long since I’ve thought about Sweet Valley High, one of many book series I devoured around the time I wore side ponytails. A lot. The Baby-sitters Club and The Fabulous Five were the other two I remember best.

But today, I read in Variety that Diablo Cody will write and produce a Sweet Valley High movie. Awesome!

With the writer behind Juno involved, the adventures of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield could be even more fun than in the books. I would expect Cody to insist on finding actual teens to play the twins and their friends, including snobby rich girl Lila Fowler and her male equivalent, Bruce Patman. Note to movie studios: It’s weird when you try to make us believe people a decade out of college are in high school, a la most of the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210. I mean, that show was lucky Luke Perry was so hot.

Diablo Cody’s version of Sweet Valley High also should have an awesome soundtrack — mostly pop mixed with just the right amount of hard rock, for when bad things happen, like Todd Wilkins’ motorcycle crash or Regina Morrow’s death after she gives in to peer pressure and tries drugs.

I’m not sure how much Cody will be able to cram into one script. Or how much she’ll want to, but I think she’ll try to keep some serious moments and handle them in a way that keeps them from being too campy.

Unless, they go in a better direction and embrace the campiness by setting the movie in the ’80s. That way, Liz and Jess can keep their Fiat.