Blake Lively To Play Carrie Bradshaw In 'Sex And The City' Prequel 'The Carrie Diaries'?

Sex and the City 2 was a disappointment at the box office, failing to live up to the shockingly high gross of its predecessor. Rather than let the series die, HBO Films is reportedly looking into taking the tried-and-true route that so many franchises have opted for before: Making a prequel.

The production is still in the discussion stages, but if made into a reality, the film would adapt Candace Bushnell's 2010 prequel The Carrie Diaries, which focuses on Carrie Bradshaw's high school days in the early '80s. As such, the character that turned Sarah Jessica Parker into a female fashion icon/male punchline would have to be recast. And apparently, writer-director-producer Michael Patrick King already has someone in mind. Learn more after the break.

According to Grazia, King has already expressed interest in the project, and wants Blake Lively (The Town, The Green Lantern) to play the young Carrie. Their insider tells them: "There are no plans to bring SJP and the other girls back together in the old format. The prequel is about breathing new life into the story and exploring Carrie's first few months in NYC and the beginning of her relationship with an older man."

Carrie doesn't meet the three gals who would later accompany her throughout the series in the book, but that doesn't necessarily mean that won't happen in the movie. Author Candace Bushnell recently got done with a follow-up to The Carrie Diaries entitled Summer and the City, and it explores how her relationship with Samantha and Miranda first began. That could easily be incorporated into the film, especially as a way to segue into a sequel.

From a business standpoint, this couldn't be more perfect. After the awkward attempts to glamor up the hit series' aging stars became a perpetual source of snide ridicule in the latest film, this move allows the franchise to retain its brand recognition while also introducing a new batch of hot young starlets. Not only does the film get to keep its audience of middle-aged women, it also opens up the series to younger girls who may not have as much familiarity with the series — particularly any Gossip Girl fans who are eager to see more of Blake Lively. And since it's based on source material by the author whose book was the basis for the series to begin with, there's no room for anyone to complain.

But hey, why let that stop us? Bitch to your heart's content in the comments below.

Here's the plot synopsis of the book:

The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself, and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.