Diablo Cody is finally witnessing the long-awaited shift in the industry. The writer-producer has long stressed meaningful storytelling and understands all too well women’s position in this space. For years, there has been a lack of female-centric narratives and complex characters due to a lack of opportunities and the right audience. But Cody believes the moment has finally arrived.

After the release of her latest female-led film, Cody shared how this might just be the right time for more female-centric movies and shows. 

After Lisa Frankenstein, Diablo Cody decided to produce the female-led dark comedy film, Forbidden Fruits. The movie is much loved and appreciated by the audience. So, when asked whether the audience is ready for more such films, Cody called it the perfect time. 

“There has never been a better time to tell these stories, the audience is there now,” she told Variety.

The re-assessment comes in light of Cody’s previous female-led cult-classic horror film, Jennifer’s Body, which struggled to find the right audience and was considered a flop. The writer and producer explained feeling "sick" about how nobody understood the film. However, that changed when she realized that people embraced Forbidden Fruits and the characters. 

“Hearing people in the audience at South understanding the movie was really healing for me,” she added. “Even though I didn’t make this film," she further added.

Cody also displayed acceptance that the audience for such films has always existed, and they just needed a way to find each other and connect. Thanks to the internet, people are able to share their stories, express their opinions, and build a collective voice. As Cody explains, this has ultimately brought the right audience together, and they are now ready and eager to embrace and engage with these stories.

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And while speaking of Forbidden Fruits, Cody had praised not just the script but also the cast, who brought a new perspective. 

Diablo Cody stressed that casting was crucial for the film, which focused on complex female friendships and characters brilliantly shown by Victoria Pedretti, Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, and Alexandra Shipp. And Cody went on to call the lineup a “very sparkly cast,” explaining how crucial the right actors are to bringing the story alive. Speaking of this, she pointed out Reinhart, who is also set to star in The Love Hypothesis. 

“It feels like Lily did something new with the narrative, and that is very unusual. At no point would I know where that movie is going,” Cody said.

The project’s success, in her view, is tied to how well the off-screen and on-screen talents work. And once again circling back to storytelling, she stressed that good material attracts the appropriate talent for a project. All it needed was the right audience and timing, which seems to have arrived now.

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What do you think about Cody's opinion on the right timing for movies like Forbidden Fruits? Let us know in the comments.