Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie, Starring . . . You?

"But the truth is, when they make a movie or a TV mini-series about me, they'll probably just skip right over the middle school years and go right to the part where I'm famous. Seriously, who's gonna want to see a movie about a guy who's stuck in middle school with a bunch of half-grown morons?"

Well, 20th Century Fox is counting on LOTS of people seeing a movie about a kid stuck in middle school (whether it's filled with half-grown morons is yet to be seen). They're making Jeff Kinney's best-selling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series into a movie! The quote above is part of Greg's opening dialogue, and he's totally wrong — because those middle school years are exactly what the movie is about.

How did I get a quote from a movie that's not out yet? This is really cool — Fox is doing on online casting call for the main character, Greg Heffley. They put the first scene of the movie up on their website and are having kids submit audition tapes online. Then anyone who visits the website can watch the audition tapes - kind of like American Idol for male actors age 10-13, except it's not on television and you can't call in and vote and there's no Simon Cowell (thankfully!) or Paula Abdul and . . . Okay, so maybe it's nothing like American Idol. But some guy out there is going to go from regular middle-schooler to movie star. And I hope he's keeping a diary (or as Greg would insist, journal) in case someday someone wants to make a movie about when he became famous!

And for all those Wimpy Kid fans who aren't wannabe-movie stars, Jeff Kinney has two more Wimpy Kid books planned — one that will be out in the fall of 2009 and one in 2010, which will hold you over until the movie comes out. If you're not a fan of the series yet, you should be. Check out this video trailer for the books and go get reading!

— Carly H., STACKS Staffer

UPDATE 3/22: Check out all our Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie coverage including movie clips, a chat with Jeff Kinney and Zach Gordon, a sneak peek at Jeff Kinney's new book, a trivia quiz, and interviews with the actors!

Comments

[Comment #1]

Wait, there making it into a movie, or a series. And are the doing all 3 books in one movie, or one book in one movie...?

[Comment #2]

I love the book! Im so going to see the movie! Are they casting girls in it to?

[Comment #3]

that's......awsoeme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #4]

This is really cool, I really enjoy reading the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books.

[Comment #5]

I wish the main character was a girl. I really want to become a kid actor, especially for my favourite series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. My mom's an actor and I want to be just like her except I want to do it when I'm a kid.

[Comment #6]

Are you kidding me? It's live-action? In my opinion, that's going to pretty much ruin it, since what I liked best about the book was the writing style and the little comics/drawings. They should just do the movie animated, in the drawing style... this sounds just like another middle school drama that's trying desperately for laughs. >_<

[Comment #7]

That's so cool! I will SO go see that. Too bad I can't audition.

[Comment #8]

I love those books!!
I heard they just came out with a new one!
I think the cover of it is lime green!....i really want to read it!....i also want to do the do it yourself book!
i love doing stuff like that!
that would be awesome!
they need to make a movie!
he is funny!
and so is the author!
ttyl

[Comment #9]

I'm so gonna audition.
Hope I make it.
I wonder, are they casting any other parts. If so, I might not go for Greg

[Comment #10]

the books r hillarious!!!!! i only have the 1st but read the 1st & the 2nd. there is a movie?!?!?!?!

[Comment #11]

u`re right PugHugs, the drawings r wat pretty much make the book funny. it should totaly be animated!!!!!!!!

[Comment #12]

how do you cast for other parts in the movie?

[Comment #13]

I really badly want to audition and are they still casting girls too?

[Comment #14]

i so wanna do this im turning 11 soon i want that part.

[Comment #15]

I love these books.I like how it tells about his life.

[Comment #16]

i got the third book its awesom!!! i totally want to see the movee, but it shuld be animated not live actshon

[Comment #17]

Hey my brother can audition, he is 10, funny, and not cute. By the way are you going to cast some girl parts too.

[Comment #18]

Does anyone know if there are any girl parts for the movie?

[Comment #19]

the trailer sucks

[Comment #20]

I can't wait till diary of a wimpy kid 4 comes out. I really enjoyed all of Diary of a Wimpay Kid books so far. I loved the do it yourself book a lot a lot. These books are funny and entertaining. They're the best books ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #21]

I'm so excited to see the movie! I don't see why they would cast girls, unless they're casting for parts besides Greg that I don't know about. Anyway, I sent in an audition tape despite being a girl. He he he....

[Comment #22]

OH YEAAH IM GOING TO WIN U BESTS BELIVES IT YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #23]

hi you can be one of the girls u can be holly hollis, i am going to be in it to

[Comment #24]

I love your books their AWESOME! what color is the next book going to be

[Comment #25]

Hey im going to audition for the part of greg heffley and i think i have a pretty good chance of getting the part and im like 99 percent sure they'll be casting girls because a guy couldn't play holly.and also if you wanna see all the info on this movie search diary of a wimpy kid imdb.I read on there that some kid is rumored to be playing the part of greg but thats not true cuz i checked the wimpy kid website and i didnt see his tape and that pretty much is it!