So, Empire had the good fortune to run into Michael Cera the other day (exactly how you imagine him – very nice, very sweet and shy) and we took the time to grill him on two of his upcoming projects: Edgar Wright’s adaptation of ace underground comic, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, in which Cera was cast just recently; and the mooted movie adaptation of the wonderful TV show that first brought him to our attention: Arrested Development.
First, to Arrested Development: The Movie, which would give the show the send-off it deserves. Jason Bateman has mentioned the possibility several times in the past and last we heard the show’s creator Mitch Hurwitz was actively pursuing it. So, what has Cera heard about the possible big-screen bow of the Bluths?
“I’ve heard that they want to do it, and I know Jason really wants to do it. I think it’s definitely possible, but there’s no script or anything,” he said. “Hopefully it’ll have a kinder fate than the show, and that people who don’t know the show would see it.”
But Scott Pilgrim is definitely happening, with Cera in the title role as a young Toronto wannabe rock star who, in order to get with the (literal) girl of his dreams, must do battle with her seven evil ex-boyfriends. Turns out that Wright couldn’t have cast more aptly.
“I love the graphic novels, they’re amazing,” gushed Cera. “The first time I met Edgar, we hung out in Toronto [Cera’s home town and the setting for Pilgrim] with Bryan Lee O’Malley [the series’ creator, also from Toronto], and he showed me pages from the fourth book that hadn’t come out yet. It was awesome!”
Although Cera couldn’t say too much about what Edgar’s planning for the movie, he did fill us in as best he could. “Filming hopefully in the fall, that’s when they’re trying to go,” said Cera (although the impending actors’ strike may have a lot to do with the movie’s ultimate fate). “Scott’s a dreamer, I guess, so it’s a bit of a change. I’m really excited to do it and work with Edgar – he’s someone who’s really funny and an awesome guy.”
We’re hugely excited about this movie, by the way – the comics are amazing, hilarious and original, and they should mesh perfectly with Wright’s visual sense. And Cera’s the icing on the cake. We’ll bring you more on Scott Pilgrim as and when we get it.