Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson likely to go the Jason Reitman way
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EXCLUSIVE: ‘Young Adult,’ the project that reunites the filmmaking team behind ‘Juno,’ is preparing to start shooting in the coming weeks. And while there’s no Ellen Page, Jason Bateman or J.K. Simmons in this one, the cast of the new Reitman film will still sport some pretty solid comedy and acting chops.
Charlize Theron, who had previously been announced as the lead, is set to be joined by Patton Oswalt, who has come aboard, and could soon be joined by Patrick Wilson, who is negotiating a deal, sources say.
Both actors bring cinematic credibility: The comedian-cum-actor Oswalt surprised many with his lead performance as an arrested-development man-child in the Sundance Film Festival hit ‘Big Fan,’ while Wilson has lined up a litany of solid roles amid his bigger studio pictures, including his portrayal of a recondite suburban dad in ‘Little Children’ and his recent turn as an eager jock in ‘The Switch.’ (He starred in ‘Hard Candy,’ so there’s a Page connection there.)
‘Young Adult’ looks at a ghostwriter of YA novels who returns to her hometown to reconnect with high-school friends and flames, including an ex-boyfriend (Wilson), who, as it turns out, wants nothing to do with her.
‘Juno’ director Reitman, writer Diablo Cody and producers Mason Novick, Mandate Pictures and Mr. Mudd are all back, attempting to reprise the success of ‘Juno,’ which won an Oscar and grossed $227 million worldwide three years ago.
As with that movie, ‘Young Adult’ offers the specter of characters grappling with adult problems against the backdrop of high school. There’s still one more big female lead to be cast, but the cameras should be ready to roll soon. And if the ‘Juno’ magic strikes again, plenty of zeitgeist talk will follow.
-- Steven Zeitchik
