The photo above goes out to all the girls of the world who go nom nom nom for Michael Cera. This is a demographic that is growing exponentially. I even know a gal who left a guy to venture out in search of Juno’s lithe and witty impregnator. So, given this bewildering trend, it’s only fitting that Cera (Superbad) is in final negotiations to star in the titular role of Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim’s Little Life, a promising adaptation of the hipster comic book about a Canadian bass player who must defeat his dream girl’s seven evil exes in order to, you know, make out.
In Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic, the “League of Ramona’s Evil Ex-Boyfriends” is possessed with varying evallll superpowers ranging from “vegan psychic powers” to “summoning demon hipster girls at will.” And apparently one these exes is a vixen who is half-ninja. You know, from college. Also of note, Pilgrim, who is straight, has a gay roommate named Wallace and they share a bed. Hopefully Clark Duke (above) who played Cera’s roommate in the quite amusing Clark and Michael (re: watch) gets a text to join. Writer/actor Michael Bacall, Wright and O’Malley adapted the script, and filming is slated to begin in the fall.
While lots of fanboys were hoping that Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) hopped onto Marvel’s Ant Man next, the addition of Cera to this project makes me think it could be quite \m/. Moreover, Michael Cera starring in a flick that will get him a permanent seat in the Illustrious Skybox of ‘Tang is good for all of us geeks, hipsters and Sexman alike. Indeed, I’d go so far as to say that Cera is deserving of the lead in that o-so-holy and manly of remakes: Fletch.
Discuss: Why is Michael Cera such a friggin’ babe magnet? Does Scott Pilgrim’s Little Life run the risk of being, erm, Juno: Hipster Slayer? Good move for Wright?
March 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Michael Cera is sooooo hottttt. OMFG! I thought i was the only one!!! All you girls back off my man! He mine!
March 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Because he’s famous (and presumabley has money). I like the guy and think he’s funny, but let’s be real. He wouldn’t get a second glance were he not on TV and in movies.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Robert, this is not true. Girls like him because he has something popularized by Adam Brody on the OC: he’s nerdy but nice and funny and not a douche.
I dunno I’ve had a crush on him since his George Michael days (and he was chubby back then).
Though he kinda looks like a shark (beady eyes and whatnot).
March 19th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Michael Cera can do one thing fairly well and that one thing isn’t enough to do more than play a good supporting role in an ensemble comedy.
And c’mon… Jason Lee is really the only person I know of who might actually do a decent job with Fletch.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
@ Anonymous / Jason Lee
You are forever banned from starring as Fletch after Alvin and the Chipmunks and its upcoming sequel and its upcoming threequel.
Cera, step up to the plate for a Bloody Mary and a steak sandwich and a…
March 19th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Michael Cera is actually pretty perfect for the role. Scott Pilgrim isn’t a “cool” character most of the time; he’s often described as lazy and “loser-ish” and Michael Cera can definitely hit that note given his other roles. In fact, I’d say Cera’s on-screen personality meshes pretty exactly with that of Scott Pilgrim, if not having the potential to.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
lets hope Wright does better without Pegg as Pegg has done without Wright.
Cera is cool and all… but he seems to be a one trick pony, none of his film roles has strayed far from his Arrested Development character….
March 19th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
@ Hunter… please. Don’t be ridiculous.
Chevy Chase picked up his share of big paychecks for terrible movies in his day, as well.
jonny is spot on regarding Cera. He’s sort of charming playing the stumbling stuttering straight man, but he just sort of relies on the fumbling
break downs taught in comedy improv classes.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
@ Jason Lee
Chevy Chase did SNL, Fletch, Caddyshack and National Lampoon’s Vacation and Euro Vacation. And then his coke habit became his agent. Big whup. I like Mall Rats, but Jason Lee was not and will never be on the level of Chevy Chase circa Awesome, especially post-Chipmunks. He wasn’t a bad skateboarder though.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
So, if you’re ruling out everything after European Vacation, I guess you’re not going to mention Oh Heavenly Dog.
I’m not saying that Jason Lee is better than Fletch-era Chevy Chase, but I am saying that he is infinitely better suited than Michael Cera and that you have to give Lee a lot of credit for his roles as Banky and Brody being very good at dry sarcastic wit.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I’ll just throw in my 2 cents as a gay man who also adores Michael Cera. He has a level of sensitive geekiness that is irresistible. He’s that guy who is non-conventionally good looking, funny, and you know would treat you right.
Sidenote to the Jason Lee Discussion: I enjoyed him in his earlier films and have even found him attractive in his day, but the whole scientology/raping of my childhood a la Chipmunks has turned me off to him. And you should really never attempt to use Chevy Chase to defend any actor’s career.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I cannot believe I’ve never thought of him as Scott… makes perfect sense.
Scott Pilgrim is such a fun book and I’m sure Wright will be able to do it justice.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
@ Anonymous
Oh Heavenly Dog. LOL. What a terrible movie, indeed.
Simply because I doubt Young Chevy Chase (YCC) remembers making that movie due to partying (he’s only in it for what, 5 minutes?), I give him a pass. OHD is not as inexcusable as A&TCM.
I’d like to see a young Fletch movie anyhow, ruling Lee out, and I think Cera would slay it. But if we’re still talking effing Zach Braff or Jason Lee? Fine, Lee. No (real) mustache, though.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I don’t want to stuff him in the one trick pony barn before we’ve seen him in a lead role, but this may not be “the one”.
I always loved him as George Michael and his version of the Guess Who’s “These Eyes” in Superbad totally sealed the old dirty lady crush deal.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:01 am
i’ve swooned for michael since his days as the awkard pre-pubescent george-michael bluth. i will always have a soft spot in my heart for mr. manager (we just say…manager). also, clark & michael remind me of a young, modern bill murray and harold ramis. i think they could make fantastic work together.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I like Michael Cera, I like Edgar Wright, I like Scott Pilgrim. Having said that, I don’t think it works together. Mostly because of Cera. I can’t see him doing the energy that the books seem to have.
I think we have to dip into the same pool that came up for Y: The Last Man. I would be cool with Topher Grace or Joseph Gordon-Levitt, or even better yet, a young unknown for the role.
As for Fletch, I think Jason Lee is still a great choice. Yes, his movie choices have been… bad, but he still has the right blend of comic timing and charm, with just a touch of sleaze, that you need for Fletch. Picture a smarter Earl Hickey.