by scribegrrrl

Video Blogs

Ellen Page to trade pageants for pileups in roller derby film

Yesterday, Variety reported that Ellen Page has signed on to play a roller derby queen in Drew Barrymore's directing debut, Whip It!

I'm going to ignore the Variety headline for the moment ("Ellen Page to 'Whip It!' for Barrymore") because, well, eww and eyeroll. Let's focus on the plot summary: Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a blue-haired Texan misfit whose mother keeps pushing her into beauty pageants. Bliss "finds herself" when she joins a roller derby team.

This has so much potential, I don't even know where to begin. First, roller derby? Campy, retro and almost as gay as billiards! And it's about time somebody made a roller derby flick, so I can stop mourning that A&E series Rollergirls.

Second, Barrymore and Page might prove to be a dream team. I guess there's no guarantee that Drew will be a good director, but she seems fairly likely to understand that roller derby is inherently campy. (In other words, I doubt she'll go the route of the cringeworthy, far-too-earnest musical called Roller Derby.) Barrymore has been interested in the project for years, but it took Page's interest to seal the deal. I was hoping that Page would be Diablo Cody's long-term muse, but maybe she'll be Barrymore's instead.

Last, the screenwriter seems very cool — this isn't the roller derby script Jackie Woodman has been working on since forever. Real-life derby star Shauna Cross, aka Maggie Mayhem, adapted the screenplay from her novel Derby Girl. The story is semiautobiographical. Here's Cross' take on pageants and derby:

The juxtaposition of the beauty pageant world and the roller derby world was really fascinating to me because they both represent two extreme ideas of femininity. One is about perfectly coifed physical perfection, but when you look closer, it’s actually kind of brutal, I think. While the other is anarchy and bruises, and yet, it’s the most female-empowering thing I’ve ever experienced. It’s like plastic sexy versus real sexy.

Maybe the film will be something like Drop Dead Gorgeous. (And hey, Allison Janney was in that one, as well as Juno. Can she please be in this film too?) Or maybe Whip It! will be more like Stick It. Or maybe it will be like Ice Castles. Nah, not with Ellen Page's attitude: "I can't wait to kick ass on wheels!"

On that note, I'm happy to have an excuse to post a clip of Page's recent appearance on Late Night With David Letterman. In the interview, she revealed that she lives in a former bordello that seems to be haunted — her makeup occasionally goes missing, and she fears she'll someday encounter a "transparent slut." Page also shared her knowledge of maritime provinces and harbor explosions. I can't believe she's only 20 — I wasn't this smart when I was 20 (or, if I was, I certainly wasn't this eloquent).

Ellen Page interview

Whip It! starts filming this summer. Meanwhile, writer Cross is working on a couple of other films: a "rebel cheerleader movie" called Shake It Up, and a script about some strippers who form a union. Cross says, "I guess my thing is funny, smart rebel girls." I feel you, Maggie Mayhem!

scribegrrrl's blog

Submitted by

scribegrrrl

on January 17, 2008 - 5:53pm.

TAGS ::

I totally can relate to:

Submitted by

TheWeyrd1 (403 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 6:37pm.

I can't believe she's only 20 — I wasn't this smart when I was 20 (or, if I was, I certainly wasn't this eloquent)

But Scribe...if it's any consolation at least as you age your reasoning gets better (although your memory skills do tend to recede).

Loved Juno...very taken with Ellen Page too.

Hooray for derby!

Submitted by

Jessie Maims (115 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 6:39pm.

I can't wait for this.

*jets off to derby practice*

RollerGirls rock! Nothing

Submitted by

Nathiest (446 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 7:15pm.

RollerGirls rock! Nothing camping at all in what they do.

-Nathiest
live for lust die for love

roller girls rule!

Submitted by

sabrina323 (61 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 7:33pm.

speaking as a living breathing roller girl i can not tell you how freaking excited i am about this!!! its about time someone recognized how awesome this sport is....and THEE DREW BARRYMORE no less. i can't wait to see how this turns out...i am so proud to be a DERBY GAL!!!!

OSDA RULES!!!!

www.shedevilsrollerderby.com

rollin' rican #21

Ellen Page

Submitted by

Willow1984 (5 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 7:53pm.

One word: super duper hot...well maybe 3 words.....Ellen Page roller derbying...mmmmmmm

The Homo Goddess

Ellen Page? Oh yes!

Submitted by

Jennnnnnnifer (7 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 8:09pm.

She is the new hottie for 2008.

Such a great role model for her generation. Nerd girls rule!

thanks

Submitted by

seattle (44 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 8:09pm.

thanks for posting that, ellen page is awesome and the video clip was great

you rock!

;)

Submitted by

7Up (221 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 8:18pm.

I love Ellen Page, she rocks!!!

I think Ellen Page is so

Submitted by

Mary (10 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 8:34pm.

I think Ellen Page is so amazingly attractive. Her personality, her looks, her intelectualness! She's adorable. I can't wait till she comes out. I know she will! I HAVE HOPE!

Yeah lets all have faith..

Submitted by

baarlijan_xen (337 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 9:06pm.

Fell in love with her whe I saw Hard Candy (that was her right?)...

I know she was underage there but... well, yeah, wahtever!! It's not like she was 12!

PS: Hey Mary! First Post eh? Kisses

Xènia

eee

Submitted by

Mary (10 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 9:38pm.

Well, to me she wasn't underaged because she is older than me. So all is okay! I can enjoy her in Hard Candy.

PS: Yes! First post! yaaaay

Mary. : )

lesbian werewolf movie?

Submitted by

notshane (192 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 8:43pm.

OK, so Ellen's filming this one in summer. So... what happened to the Lesbian Werewolf movie she was meant to do next? Has it been shelfed for lack of funding? Anyone know the latest?

sad sad

Submitted by

Mary (10 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 9:35pm.

As far as I'd heard, yes. It has been shelved for lack of funding. But everyone has hopes that because of her newfound fame thanks to Juno somebody will be kind enough and the movie will be filmed. I hope she does do the lesbian werewolf movie.

New fan...

Submitted by

BQ (86 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 10:05pm.

New fan here also.

btw, for the record, her answer of 1917 is correct. Love that she had that right. I'd be like uhrrrrr...

btw2, what's up w/ her tv appearances lately? She was supposed to be on Ellen last week and when I DVR'd it, she wasn't there! Then she was supposed to be on Regis and Kelly on Tuesday so I DVR'd it. And she wasn't on...AGAIN! Has anyone caught her on either of these shows? Is it just my cable info that's messed up? Ellen did say that Ellen was going to be on the show after the holidays so something was booked there. As for Regis...it wasn't a total loss since newly engaged KT Tunstall was on also, but still...

On Oprah on 1-16-08

Submitted by

TheWeyrd1 (403 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 10:15pm.

I caught the very end...Ellen page, Jennifer Garner and Diablo Cody (with her folks in the audience calling her Brooke...lol). Fortunately I was able to record the replay.

Ooh

Submitted by

BQ (86 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 9:42am.

Oooh, thanks for the info. Hopefully I can catch it on rerun some time...I think eps rerun a week later here...going to have to look for it.

Halifax Explosion..

Submitted by

tackylacky (1 post)

on January 17, 2008 - 11:01pm.

Not to knock my dearest Ellen Page, who i loved in the Tv show ReGenesis, but as a Canadian, even though I’m on the west coast, I must say anyone with cable knows about the Halifax Explosion(she was only a year off, it was 1917). We have commercials about things like that up here, they're called "Part Of Our Heritage"... they're whole little stories telling all sorts of interesting facts about Canadian History. Ask any canadian about them.. they are both corny, and educational.

Yay Ellen

Submitted by

SillyTexasGirl (98 posts)

on January 19, 2008 - 4:58pm.

She's definitely the It Girl of the moment. Everyone should check out Hard Candy. It will absolutely scare the hell out of you haha. If it weren't for Marion Cotillard, she'd definitely be a shoo-in for the Best Actress Oscar.

You are my center when I spin away.

she wasn't a year off; she

Submitted by

547490 (2 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 7:38am.

she wasn't a year off; she said 1917, which is correct

um she's right

Submitted by

Jackie (8 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 10:14am.

She DID say 1917... and I didn't know anything about the Halifax Explosion and I'm from the west coast too. I've seen billions of those commercials and I don't ever recall seeing one about the Halifax Explosion. So there! :-p

I'm surprised Ellen doesn't sound like a newfie. Guess that a Newfoundland thing... hehe

Heritage Moment

Submitted by

buster47 (7 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 3:33pm.

Its the commercial with a man in a train station using morse code.

She probably doesn't have an accent because she's from a larger city (Halifax) rather than a small community. I don't have a Newfie accent even though I'm from Newfoundland for that reason. Sometimes I wish I did, and start using a fake one!

Ahhhh.....

Submitted by

MEL257 (93 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 11:05pm.

Smart, sarcastic and pretty...my kind of girl!!! Looking forward to any movie with Ellen, Drew and rollerderby combined!!!

So I adore ellen and drew

Submitted by

Spiffy (33 posts)

on January 17, 2008 - 11:58pm.

Like woah!

Ellen is the funniest little girl ever lol I wanna be like her!!!! =]

After watching the video

Submitted by

csoki631 (12 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 12:47am.

OK, it's official now: I have a crush on Ellen Page. Witty and cute... what more can you ask for?

not a drew fan but

Submitted by

FireWontQuell (95 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 2:44am.

ellen page is hot shit! she looks so cute with that haircut!!! and she's so totally my age :)))

definitely a contender for coming out, yes yes yes! and then coming into my bedroom~!

Everybody's falling in love with Ellen

Submitted by

tootles (138 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 5:10am.

Me no exception : P

"Attractive" is the right word, thanks Mary.

Think I'm going to look up her filmography now : P

***

"I'm so sorry for the things that they've done
I'm so sorry about what we've all become."
[Editors - Well worn hands]

I'm gonna have to hop on

Submitted by

jamlawgirl (165 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 5:36am.

I'm gonna have to hop on the bandwagon here and declare that I'm adding Ellen Page to my list of celebrity crushes.

Funny, witty, smart, talented, and cute!

OMG

Submitted by

LJS (128 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 7:28am.

I love her ^_^

She's so sweet, and funny and cute! What more could you want! :-P

Kitty Pryde

Submitted by

miss chatelaine (223 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 12:14pm.

I've fancied - I mean, er, liked Ellen Page since I first saw her as Kitty Pryde. Man, that hair was just gorgeous, I watched the movie another two times just for her.

She's just incredibly impressively smart and sharp, and she sure holds her own against adults more than twice her age. The commentary of Hard Candy with Ellen and Patrick Wilson was pretty mind blowing (or it may be that I'm a sad Ellen Page creepyfanstalker), but that girl can really talk.

I agree...she was very good

Submitted by

sue_me (19 posts)

on January 20, 2008 - 9:13pm.

I agree...she was very good in both of those roles.

Love to see them do a KP spin-off from the X-Series with Page as the lead. (Most of the Rogue/Wolvie storyline from the first X-Movie came from the KP/Wolvie stuff of the books.)

She rocked in Juno. She'll no doubt remain an interesting actor to watch.

And she was right about the year, 1917.

Who's loves her?

Submitted by

L. (58 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 5:01pm.

I do! I do! I do! I love Ellen Page! She's just oh soooo sexy, and smart! I watched Hard Candy just for one person, heheeh. freaky as hell, but I sat there and saw the whole thing just for her and her boyish look. She's so young, too! :-) I agree with SillyTexasGirl, she is definitely the it girl of the moment, which is about time! ;-)

-Quiero verte, tenerte, y besarte, y entregarte todo mi corazon!-

Oh my..

Submitted by

blunt spoon (16 posts)

on January 18, 2008 - 7:20pm.

I think I'm in love..

lesbian rumours

Submitted by

notshane (192 posts)

on January 19, 2008 - 12:55am.

OK, rumours of Ellen Page's 'ambiguous' sexuality has officially gone mainstream. Check out this amusing article in Canada's Globe and Mail (a liberal paper) comparing Ellen Page with Jodie Foster :)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080118.wtaleoftape0118/BNStory/Entertainment/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080118.wtaleoftape0118

(I had already compared their "vigilante" movies and thought Hard Candy far superior to The Brave One in terms of its smart script and feminist overtones. If anyone has not seen Hard Candy yet, rent it. Its superb. It will bowl you over.)

Rumors

Submitted by

SillyTexasGirl (98 posts)

on January 19, 2008 - 1:21am.

Those pesky lesbian rumors have dogged Ellen for a long, long time now. Now with her higher profile it seems like everyone has an opinion, even Perez Hilton. Check out her IMDb page and see how many threads there are dedicated to her sexuality.

Way to be totally coy, Ellen. *sighs*

You are my center when I spin away.

I just blogged on the topic of her performances in both movies

Submitted by

TheWeyrd1 (403 posts)

on January 19, 2008 - 3:22am.

www.theweyrd1.blogspot.com if you're interested.

The problems with funding

Submitted by

Ediana (125 posts)

on January 19, 2008 - 3:33am.

The problems with funding for Jack and Diane were apparently solved after Juno's success and the movie is scheduled to be filmed this Spring. It is not expected to be a long filming schedule. Whip It will be Page's film after that and it is set for Summer filming.