LOS ANGELES – In "Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules," a sequel to 2010’s surprise hit, Greg Heffley, the kid who made "wimpy" cool, is back in an all-new family comedy based on the best-selling follow-up novel by Jeff Kinney. As he begins seventh grade, Greg and his older brother – and chief tormentor – Rodrick must deal with their parents’ misguided attempts to have them bond.
From its origins as a series of online cartoons, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" exploded onto the pop culture scene when Kinney’s first "novel in cartoons" was published in 2007. "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" spent almost three years on The New York Times' children's best-seller list, and sold millions of copies around the world. The book captured the imaginations of an army of formerly "reluctant readers," and launched countless video reviews, social networking fan groups, and parties celebrating the release of each new "Wimpy Kid" book. While Kinney had originally targeted adults through the book's nostalgic look at middle school life as told through a narrator with Walter Mittyesque fantasies of greatness, kids immediately connected to his blending of the subversive and edgy with the fun and wholesome.
The first motion picture based on Kinney's work, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," brought to cinematic life the adventures of wisecracking pre-teen Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone's life….middle school. Now, with the new film, Kinney (returning as executive producer), director David Bowers, producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, and screenwriters Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah, put the focus on Greg's family, especially his relationship with his older brother, Rodrick.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules" kicks off one year after the first film, with Greg beginning seventh grade. Greg has mastered middle school, rid himself of the Cheese Touch, and thinks he's got it all together. There's just one problem: Rodrick is trying to ruin Greg's life. "The movie is centered on a classic theme, something most people have been 2 through, which is sibling rivalry," says producer Brad Simpson. "Every day, Greg probably wishes he were an only child."
Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn and most of the cast from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" return. One key new member of the Wimpy Kid family is director David Bowers ("Flushed Away," "Astro Boy"), making his live-action feature debut. "This film was like a family reunion," says Kinney. "It felt like coming back for a second year of summer camp."
The second time around turning one of his books into a film was no less exciting for Kinney than his maiden Hollywood voyage on "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." "As an author, it's incredibly exciting to see your words (and doodles) come to life on screen," he notes. "I'm so glad audiences liked the first movie and that we're back, bringing the second book to life on screen."
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