Diablo Cody has offered a more specific indication of what interests her about Jennifer’s Body 2. Speaking on the Petticoat Revolution podcast, the screenwriter said the follow-up gives her room to explore Jennifer’s vulnerability and the experiences behind it. TheWrap reported her comments on October 16.
Cody described the character as lonely and insecure, alongside the power and confidence audiences remember. She also praised Megan Fox for conveying both aspects in the original film. Cody wants to give the loneliness behind Jennifer’s monstrous image more space.
Karyn Kusama directed the original Jennifer’s Body from Cody’s screenplay. Fox played Jennifer opposite Amanda Seyfried as Needy, with a friendship pulled apart by possession, violence and resentment. The film’s later cult following has given that relationship a longer life than its initial reception suggested.
Cody characterized work on the sequel as close at hand, but did not supply a release date in these remarks. Her comments concern its emotional focus. They leave the continuation with a sharper question to answer: how can Jennifer remain frightening while allowing more space for the loneliness Cody sees in her?