Michael Cera confounds expectations as ass-kicking Scott Pilgrim

After years of casting rumours and pre-production, the long-awaited film adaptation of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series hits Irish screens – with a surprising lead actor.

With Edgar Wright’s (Hot Fuzz, Dawn of the Dead) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World hitting Irish cinemas today, JOE is as puzzled as anyone else – likable screen nerd Michael Cera reinvented as an ass-kicking romantic hero?

Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series of the same name, Pilgrim has received huge plaudits since its US release, with many critics keen to highlight Cera’s nuanced role and Wright’s typically frenetic direction. Cera himself had already read the first two Pilgrim novels before he was approached about taking the titular role, and knew it was unmissable, but daunting opportunity.

“Bryan Lee O’Malley created such a unique, distinct character that it made it easy for me to get into character,” Cera notes.  On the other hand, he admits, “It was a little intimidating because ‘Scott Pilgrim’ has such a following, but Edgar was very helpful in finding the right tone and helping me not go too over-the-top.”

Known for playing awkward nice guys in such hits as Superbad and Juno, Cera welcomed the chance to show an edgier side to his performance.  According to producer Marc Platt, Cera “embodies the character completely. People will be shocked to see Michael fighting the way he does and displaying a toughness that audiences haven’t seen from him.  It’s been fun to watch Edgar bring that out in him.”

To the uninitiated, Scott Pilgrim is a graphic novel series centered on its 23-year-old Canadian title character, a slacker and part-time bassist in the band “Sex Bob-omb.” Scott falls in love with the girl of his dreams, quirky Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) but must first defeat her seven evil exes to win her love.

Dark, mysterious characters

Winstead, who was introduced to global audiences with her role in Die Hard 4.0 and was cast to play the subspace-traveling Ramona after she met with Edgar Wright.  The actress explains what attracts her character to the latest guy in her life: “Scott’s a new kind of love interest for Ramona.  He doesn’t seem to be the same as all the other guys that she’s been with.  She’s been with a lot of dark, tough and mysterious characters.  Now, Scott’s this sweet little lovable idiot that she’s taken under her wing.”

Paying great reverence to Pilgrim’s source material, director Edgar Wright admitted that he was ‘hooked immediately’ by the series after reading the first volume of the series in 2004, and considered taking the reins of film adaptation a ‘gift’.

“Bryan Lee O’Malley describes Scott as ‘the hero of the movie in his own head.’  My goal is to make that very movie” he says. “It covers young love, loud music and big emotions.  We see the world through a cast of young people who have a lot to give and a lot to learn.  Oh, and people totally explode into coins.”

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World opens in Irish cinemas Wednesday 25 August. You can find our JOE review here.

We’ve five goodie bags to give away, each containing a Scott Pilgrim t-shirt and hat. To win, simply send your name and mailing address to givemestuff@joe.ie with the word ‘Scott’ in the subject line by Wednesday 8 September at 5pm. First five out of the hat win.