Diablo Cody currently reigns supreme as Hollywood's go-to screenwriter for teen girl stories, whether comedic ("Juno") or horrific ("Jennifer's Body"). So it's hardly a surprise that she's going to adapt "Sweet Valley High" novels for Universal, as Variety reported earlier this week. But our guess is that this won't be your typical girly fantasy, as Cody's not known for being a cupcake. Her version of teen romance tends to involve either awkward sexuality or demonic possession, after all. So whom do we see starring in an edgier "Sweet Valley" for the 21st century? Take a look ...
JESSICA/ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD When the books were adapted as a TV series in 1994, identical teen actresses Brittany and Cynthia Daniel were cast -- but in the modern age, it makes sense to cast one actress and give her the "Parent Trap" treatment. So, which young blonde lady is up for the challenge of playing both demure and wanton? Well, Hayden Panettiere has danced nimbly over the good/evil line over the past three seasons of "Heroes." Plus, she already has her own cheerleader outfit.
TODD WILKINS He needs to be gorgeous. He needs to play basketball. He needs to be the hot guy on campus who's nice to everyone. He needs to be Zac Efron.
LILA FOWLER Lila is Sweet Valley High's resident bitch, so you might question putting edgy-yet-sweet Ellen Page in that role. But not only might the "Juno" star be Cody's lucky charm, but playing the ultra-femme Queen Bee part would be a fun stretch for her. And if you haven't seen her breakout role in the 2005 film "Hard Candy," just know that she is more than capable of the cruelty the role demands.
REGINA MORROW Let's get colorblind with this one and give Keke Palmer, who was uber-awesome in "Akeelah and the Bee," a shot. It's kind of a thankless role -- all Regina really has to do, after all, is play deaf, shy and tragic (and eventually die after trying cocaine). But given Palmer's cinematic past on the spelling bee circuit, at least we'll believe Regina's intelligent enough to keep up with Elizabeth.
WINSTON EGBERT The whole point of class clown Winston is that, sure, you'd never sleep with him, but he's still a really fun time. (Elizabeth asking him to the Harvest Ball was a total pity date.) And who's a better time than "Superbad"'s McLovin, aka Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
ENID ROLLINS You might think that reformed bad girl Enid would be best portrayed by someone of her own kind -- Lindsay Lohan, perhaps? But Emma Watson clearly has a devilish streak that the past six "Harry Potter" movies haven't given her a chance to showcase.
BRUCE PATMAN Because Scott Porter from "Friday Night Lights" is a gifted actor whose struggles with paralysis have given him no shortage of serious moments, don't you think he'd welcome the chance to cut loose and flaunt his wealth, good looks and bad-boy charisma on screen? [ED Note: Cough, Ed Westwick, Cough.]
Don't like our picks? Check out how our friends at The Frisky would cast the "Sweet Valley High" movie.












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Friday 02 October
By B
I grew up with these books and read them as a pre/post-teen. Since I was home-schooled from 8th grade to Senior, these books served as sort of my high-school years and dealt with a lot of controversal topics. I would like to see them come into print again - as they would provide real-world issues rather that reality shows (that aren't really reality) or fantasy shows (whether gruesome or tame). I just hope the movie is good so the books can gain interest again.
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Friday 02 October
By nodevout
i grew up reading these and i think these cast are pretty good. kind of. except i don't think regina was black, she was white wasn't she? and why did winston end up with the hottest girls?
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Tuesday 20 October
By London
Yeah that's why they said "Let's get colourblind". Perhaps learn to READ before you mindlessly comment.
Sunday 04 October
By Jessica
i used to love those books, i have the board game and actually still play it lol. I don't like zac but i can't wait to see the movie.
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Wednesday 07 October
By Christine
I LOVE these books!! It would be cool to actually see it as a movie! As long they get the right people to play the parts!
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Saturday 10 October
By star
This would be fantastic and I love your choices. I have to say though, Ed Westwick would be awesome--after all, Chuck Bass is sort of like a modern day, East Coast version of Bruce Patman.
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Monday 12 October
By V alencia
It is something seriously cool about revamping this classic. The cast is all out Hot and Sexy and I think it will be amazing. Koodles for this pick! I think you she has chosen well on all ends!
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Monday 12 October
By Valencia
Yes, but imagine the market she has just opened up with having her as a casting member.. It's pure genius!
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Monday 12 October
By Dani
I looove SVH! I used to read them when I was a tween up to my early teens. I'm rather impressed by the choice of Hayden to play both Elizabeth and Jessica. I think she could definitely pull it off.
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Tuesday 13 October
By Rachel
I kind of disagree with who they chose as Regina because Bruce Patman was a total snob and I can't see his character ever dating a black girl. After all, he would not date Robin Wilson because she was overweight.
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Tuesday 20 October
By London
How is being black similar to being overweight? It is not surprising people find being overweight unattractive as it is unhealthy and unnatural - either due to medical reasons or to a person eating too much/exercising too little. I'm not saying we should judge all those overweight, but it makes sense on a certain level.
Being black is just...being black. How is that ever a problem? Skin colour has nothing to do with anything. It is not unnatural. It is not unhealthy. It just is. It's completely irrelevant.
I know the whole series centres around beautiful, wealthy, middle class, blonde, white girls but are you really advocating that they make heartthrob Bruce racist? Being racist isn't being snobby, it's being ignorant. You can be black, beautiful, wealthy and middle class too.
Furthermore, are you really advocating
Friday 16 October
By Debbie
To some (most) of the people who commented.......did you read the article? These are people the Author of the article would choose to play these roles. However I do agree with the picks except for Bruce I liked the choice of Ed Westwick made by Star (mainly because I don't know who the other guy is)
I LOVED Sweet Valley High!
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Thursday 22 October
By Anita
I am thrilled that they are going to make a movie I really hope she pulls it off I love the books and the tv show. Maybe they can bring in Britney Daniel to play Alice?
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Monday 04 January
By Mimi Cake
Hmmm, this might make for a more fun film:
Elizabeth/Jessica: Michelle Williams
Lila Fowler: Scarlett Johannsen
Bruce Patman: That greasy rich dude that used to hang out with Paris Hilton or Jake Gyllenhaal
Enid Rollins: Lindsey Lohan
Winston Egbert: Seth Rogan
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Tuesday 02 February
By Kristy
As a suggestion for Elizabeth/Jessica, how about Malin Akerman?
And I think Leighton Meester would be great as Lila Fowler.
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Wednesday 07 April
By JP
i read online that the movie will be set in the 80s.
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Monday 30 August
By Lara
I wish Sara Paxton would be the one playing Jessica and Elizabeth. I mean, i like Hayden, but she's supposed to be taller than Lila. (As mentioned in the books.)
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Wednesday 08 September
By D
I LOVED the series though I am less than thrilled with Diablo, and I understand that this is just one person's opinion of a their ideal cast but it's bad! Hayden?! Really??? Eew. And as a black female (and actress), I am all about colorblind casting, but how's about we not put the ONE black chick in the movie and give her a drug problem and then kill her off. Ok, thanks!
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Wednesday 08 September
By Jennifer
I agree with the casting of Zac Efron as Todd Wilkins...but that's about it. You can NOT cast anyone but Leighton Meester as Lila. When I read the books as a kid I pictured Meester and she wasn't famous or more than a toddler at the time, that's how PERFECT she is for the role. I could see Page in the role of Enid perhaps. If he weren't older I'd say maybe Jared Padalecki for Bruce but I think he's just a bit too old. I am not sure who I would like as the twins, although the suggestion of Sara Paxton I like a lot. Especially because we know she can do roles similar to both Jess and Liz well. I could also see Dianna Agron in that role as well. I always pictured Winston as someone with a Jewish afro, so maybe Adam Lamberg. Still undecided on who to cast as Bruce or Regina. Not hating Keke Palmer, but it would kinda suck to have the only black character be tragically deaf and die of a drug overdose. Definitely don't like the guy they cast as Bruce in the article, and wouldn't want to cast Ed Westwick, mostly because I am un-budge-able on Meester as Lila and that just wouldn't work, lol!
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Wednesday 08 September
By Lysa
i also grew up reading the book, loved waiting for a new book to come out. I can't wait to see the movie, but i do not agree with some of the choices for the cast. i think that it would be better if Elizabeth and Jessica were played by twins, and i can't say i agree with the picks for the guys either. hopefully they stay true to the books. :-)
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