It’s tough to throw this out without a hint of condescension, but I really do believe Diablo Cody and Russell Brand share something in that their vocal detractors both tend to have this weirdly threatened, loaded tone in their expressed hatred. It’s hard to pin down, but Cody and Brand have a similar tendency to strike hard nerves in those folks with their cheeky sense of independence and innovation that drives some up the wall. Be it Diablo’s heightened dialogue and stylized screenwriting or Brand’s brand of comedy that mixes the intellectual with the sexual with the retarded, they do unmistakable work that is tied directly to their character, making both reactions and criticisms of them innately tied into their complicated histories. In this way, they seem a perfect fit for each other, and it’s not at all surprising that Cody has offered Brand the male lead in her directing debut Lamb of God.

The film is about “a young conservative religious woman who loses her faith after a plane crash, decides to go to Las Vegas to live the life of a sinner, and on her journey finds her way back to her faith.” Brand would play a bartender in Las Vegas, who the film’s lead meets on her journey through the wild life. Not a huge stretch for Brand, who seems on the cusp of truly crossing over his British and American fame having appeared in a romantic comedy of his own, a Julie Taymor Shakespeare film, and the upcoming star-packed Rock of Ages.

 The female lead however, sounds like it may be filled out with more of an unknown, as Julianne Hough (Footloose, Dancing With The Stars) is in consideration for that role. Considered one of the best dancers in the world, she’s also a country music singer. Diablo sure knows how to pick ’em.

It sounds like an interesting project to me, but that short synopsis surely does little justice to whatever Cody has in mind. I love Juno, but I’ve never mustered enough interest to catch Jennifer’s Body, so this isn’t shining bright on my radar, but it is something I’ll keep an eye on. Look out for more as it comes together.

Hate or love either of these two? Let me know if you do, and whyon twitter, in the comments, or on the boards.

Source | Twitch (via Total Film)