Exciting news for fans of classic young adult fiction: a movie adaptation of Sweet Valley High is officially in development. If the film doesn’t cater to a more mature audience—think women in their 30s and 40s—it could be a colossal missed opportunity.
For those who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, Sweet Valley High was a cultural cornerstone, penned by Francine Pascal and first hitting shelves in 1983. As a child, I longed to be Jessica Wakefield, the quintessential “bad girl” of the series. The escapades of the Wakefield twins were nothing short of scandalous, making them more riveting than any reality show of today. Just imagine the wild stories they could tell as adults!
Kirsten Smith, who brought us Legally Blonde, and Harper Dill, known for her work on The Mick, are on board for this project, which bodes well for its potential. However, let’s make sure we don’t end up with a sanitized version for tweens. Instead, let’s embrace the adult lives of these characters.
Remembering the Outlandish Plots
Think of the hilariously bizarre storylines we could revisit. Mental Floss recently highlighted some of the most outlandish plots from the series, and here are a few gems to jog your memory:
- Jessica joins a cult she discovers at the mall. (Book: Kidnapped by the Cult!). Yes, really.
- Jessica spikes Elizabeth’s prom punch, leading to a drunken accident that ends tragically. (Books: A Night to Remember, The Morning After, The Arrest, The Verdict). What a plot twist!
- A doppelganger aims to murder Elizabeth and assume her life. (Books: The Wedding, Beware the Baby-Sitter, The Evil Twin). Because, of course, the doppelganger has a twin too!
A short-lived TV adaptation aired in the mid-’90s, but let’s be honest—if you’re in your late 30s or early 40s, these books were practically your life. There was a misguided attempt at an adult version called The Sweet Life, which fell flat. It featured Elizabeth and Jessica navigating boring adult dramas, like infidelity and relationship woes—yawn.
What we really want is a film that revives the twins’ thrilling escapades. Picture them as fabulous, flawed characters—perhaps even as tragic figures like the unforgettable duo from Absolutely Fabulous.
In summary, we unequivocally deserve this movie!
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