SHREK's Jason Moore Set To Direct MGM's Big Screen 'VALLEY GIRL' Musical Remake

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures has confirmed Jason Moore will direct the musical reimagining of the 1983 film VALLEY GIRL from a screenplay by Amy Talkington.

A musical adaptation utilizing the Romeo & Juliet story of the original film, VALLEY GIRL will showcase the clash between the early 80's Los Angeles punk scene and suburban Valley culture.

Making his theatrical directorial debut with VALLEY GIRL, Jason Moore is an accomplished director of stage and television. His most recent effort is Shrek: The Musical, which is nominated for eight 2008 Tony awards. He was previously nominated for a Tony for his direction of Avenue Q in 2004. In addition to episodes of Brothers & Sisters, One Tree Hill and Everwood, Moore also directed the 2005 Broadway revival of Steel Magnolias. Finally, Moore directed the well-reviewed play Speech & Debate which ran at the Black Box Theatre in New York and is currently being developed into a feature film with Jason Blum (The Reader) producing.

Most recently, screenwriter Amy Talkington wrote and directed the indie comedy The Night of the White Pants starring Tom Wilkinson, Nick Stahl and Selma Blair. She also wrote Deeply Shallow and Really Fake, which she is attached to direct and adapted The Devil in the Junior League for Fox 2000. Prior, Talkington wrote and directed four award-winning short films. Valley Girl is Talkington's first musical, however, prior to screenwriting she wrote about music for several national publications.

Sean Bailey and Matt Smith of Idealogy Inc. will produce the film. Idealogy is currently in production on TRON. Vice President of Production Becky Sloviter will oversee for MGM.

Moore is represented by UTA.

Talkington is represented by UTA, managed by the Arlook Group and
attorney Warren Dern of Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive
media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%).

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.