There's a part of me that could get indignant over the thought of Hayden Panettiere starring in a film named after a classic Sonic Youth LP, but it's buried under so much apathy, I just can't be bothered.  Stupid apathy.

The only upside to Daydream Nation - which will mark the directorial debut of some screenwriter named Michael Goldbach - is Kieran Culkin, who's still boyish enough to play a teenager at the age of twenty-five.  Good for him.  Per The Hollywood Reporter, he'll play the "oblivious" boyfriend to Panettiere's "acerbic teen".  If this is how the filmmakers plan to "reinvent the coming-of-age story for the 21st century", I certainly hope they've invested more in these characters than rote posturing (another trouble sign: they're calling it an "intellectual comedy" in the vein of Election and Juno; if you know you've got the goods, you don't go out of your way to draw comparisons like that before a frame of film is shot).

Barring another work stoppage (don't try it, actors!), Daydream Nation is scheduled to begin shooting sometime in the second or third quarter of 2008 (when Panettiere will be on break from the astonishingly moronic Heroes).  Distribution rights have yet to be meted out, but with relatively recognizable talent on board, that shouldn't be a problem.  Reinventing the coming-of-age story for the 21st century?  That might kick their ass up and down the block for a month or two.  But I'm pulling for Kieran.  And if you're reading this, pal, email me regarding Margaret!!!