If there was ever a time we needed a feel-good comedy about a young woman owning her sexuality and reproductive autonomy, it’s now. So, we’re pleased to tell you that a tenth anniversary live-read of “Juno” will be held April 8 to raise funds for Planned Parenthood. Entertainment Weekly reports that “Juno” director Jason Reitman is re-staging the film with stars Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner, and an all female cast at Los Angeles’ Ace Theatre.
The Planned Parenthood live-read will see Page and Garner reprising their roles from the film. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced, but actresses will take on all roles, including the ones Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, and J.K. Simmons originated. Reitman, who will direct, has previously staged all female live-reads of the male-centric “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Stand by Me.”
“Juno” follows a pregnant high school student (Page) who decides to carry her pregnancy to term and give the baby to adoptive parents Vanessa and Mark Loring (Garner and Bateman) — after initially considering and deciding against an abortion. The film was one of the rare depictions of reproductive choice that pleased both sides of the abortion debate: Juno decided to go through with the pregnancy but had access to an abortion. Even though she decided it wasn’t what she wanted, Juno never condemned the notion of abortion or wanted the right to be taken away.
“If there was any confusion about whether ‘Juno’ was pro-choice or pro-life, this [live-read] should settle that,” Reitman told EW. “Juno had a choice, and that was the most important part.”
Reitman discontinued his live-read series last April after five seasons of staging productions like “The Princess Bride” and “Boogie Nights.” After the 2016 election he was inspired to bring it back. “I wanted to find a way to contribute to the causes that have never felt more important,” Reitman said. “It occurred to me that I have this show that could be used as a tool to not only raise money for causes that need the help, but could serve as an opportunity for a group like Planned Parenthood to connect with an audience who can be presented with new ideas, or even an action item.”
“Considering how much this election has done against women and what Planned Parenthood has done for women I thought it would be cool to hear this script with an all-female voice,” Reitman added, referencing the organization’s many services like cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, contraception, and, yes, access to safe, legal abortion.
This is most likely welcome news for “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody, who won an Oscar for the script. She has said, “I like talking about women’s issues in film, and feminism.” Cody, who will attend the live-read, continued, “A part of my career is that I am a woman and I’ve committed myself to writing roles for women. I cannot separate myself from that.”
Cody has penned women-centric fare like “Jennifer’s Body,” “Ricki and the Flash,” and “Paradise,” the latter of which she also directed. She is the creator of “One Mississippi,” a dramedy semi-based on star Tig Notaro’s experiences, and her adaptation of the UK series “Raised by Wolves” was recently given a pilot order.
Cody and Reitman reunited in 2011 for “Young Adult,” starring Charlize Theron as a woman who returns home to win back her married high school sweetheart. The duo are collaborating with Theron again for the upcoming “Tully.” The Oscar-winning actress portrays a “mother of three who forms a bond with the title character, a night nanny played by Mackenzie Davis (Sophia Takal’s ‘Always Shine’),” EW details.
Reitman will announce the full cast for the “Juno” live-read via Twitter a few days before the show. Tickets are available for purchase here. All money raised from ticket and merchandise sales will go to Planned Parenthood.
