‘Juno,’ ‘Jennifer’s Body’ Writer Diablo Cody Set to Adapt ‘Sweet Valley High’

LOS ANGELES – “Sweet Valley High” filtered through Diablo Cody? That is exactly what Universal is doubling down on, in negotiations to pick up the rights to the long-running book series, with Cody (“Juno,” “Jennifer’s Body”) attached to adapt.

Diablo Cody and ‘Sweet Valley High’ Photo credit: Diablo-Cody.com, Culturecat.net

Cody’s formative years were informed by the books, which centered on two teenage girls, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, who lived in the fictional town of Sweet Valley, California. Jessica was the more conniving and materialistic of the sisters, and usually needed help from the more practical Elizabeth when her schemes went awry.

The series, created by Francine Pascal, made its debut in 1983, publishing 150-plus books with more than 60 million copies in print. The last one came out in January 2003.

Reuters was the source for the story.

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com