I know some people consider Michael Cera a poseur, or perhaps a kind of boring, hipster, too-cool-for-school douchebag. But I love this kid. I find him adorable and hilarious, and I think he’s one of the best “straight man” comic actors working today. I fell for him on Arrested Development, and now whenever I see his face, I just start chuckling.

Anyway, Michael has a new film about to come out called Youth in Revolt. It’s basically a “coming-of-age comedy” where Michael plays Nick Twisp. Twisp falls for a girl while on a family vacation, but they are kept apart by circumstances, of course. To win the girl’s heart, Twisp creates an alter ego: the suave, ascot-wearing, cigarette-smoking, moustache-having Francois. Hilarity ensues. I just saw the trailer for the film (below), and I found myself laughing at several parts. Anyway, Michael was interviewed in Maxim recently, and I’m not sure if they sent him the questions or if he came up with this sh-t on the spot, but I can’t stop laughing:

Maxim:What’s your last meal?
Cera: I don’t know. Something with salsa on top.

-While you were alive, what did you spend the most money on?
Cera: Drugs and coffins.

-What book do you most regret not finishing?
Cera: Normally, I regret not starting books. But I do regret not finishing Elvis’ biography — I liked where it was going.

-What’s the wildest thing you ever did?
Cera: I can’t remember. That was a long time ago.

-If you could come back and spy on someone who’s still alive, who would it be and why?
Cera: Probably Elvis. He’s still around, right?

-Name one thing you’re glad you’ll never have to do again on Earth.
Cera: Brush my teeth. If somebody had told me they were just going to rot away eventually anyway, I could have saved so much time.

-What is your proudest accomplishment?
Cera: Finishing Charles Grodin’s autobiography.

-What is your biggest regret?
Cera: Remarrying my wife.

-When were you happiest?
Cera: During the eight months when our divorce was active.

-What are people saying over your coffin?
Cera: “It’s too bad we never got a chance to ask him what Jack Black was like to work with.”

-Are there any last words you’d like to share with the world?
Cera: “It’s too hard to live on a planet where you’re a monster for not being moved by Susan Boyle’s performance”.

[From Maxim via Jake’s Weird Blog]

Hilarious, right? Maybe it’s just my sense of humor. I love dry, sardonic one-liners. Anyway, I was trying to find the trailer version I saw on television the other night, but I’m having trouble. There’s this one, which has language that is NSFW. But this is a good one:

‘Youth in Revolt’ poster courtesy of Collider.

In kind of sad news about some up-and-comers, nerdy heart-throb Michael Cera, star of “Juno” and “Arrested Development,” has broken up with his longterm girlfriend, Charlyne Yi. The couple have been together for three years and made a film together called “Paper Heart,” which is set for release on August 14. While both have said that they will remain friends, I can’t help but think that the promotional tour for this film might be more than a little awkward. But on the flip side: ladies who love nerdy guys will be thrilled to know that he’s available.

Talk about awkward! Michael Cera has dumped his longtime love Charlyne Yi, 23 – just as the co-stars are beginning a lengthy promotional campaign for their comedy Paper Heart.

“Charlyne is beyond sad,” says a source. “And the breakup is so much harder because she’ll have to see him on tour.”

The three-year relationship fell victim to Michael’s skyrocketing career, says the source. His shoots kept them apart for long stretches of time- and it didn’t help that Michael, 21, has become a bit of a heart-throb.

“He’s been with her since before he was super-famous, and now all these girls fawn all over him,” says the source. “He’s just itching to date other people. As hard as it will be for Charlyne, he’ll probably be out with someone else very soon.”

[From Star magazine print edition, Aug. 10, 2009]

It is kind of a bummer about the timing of the breakup, but the guy is 21 years old. As cute a couple as Charlyne and Michael were, did she really think they were going to last forever? He’s barely a grown up. It’s normal for him to want to see what’s out there, especially now that women are actually giving him the time of day. Still, I feel for Charlyne. Most of the time when a guy dumps you, you can go on with your life and not have to see him again. She still has to promote this film with him. It won’t be easy.

Michael Cera and Charlyne Yi are shown in stills from Paper Heart. She’s also shown at a screening of the film, with Bai Ling, on 7/28/09. Those are her shoes. Credit: WENN.com

There have been rumors for some time that Michael Cera and/or Will Arnett are hesitant to get on board for an Arrested Development movie. Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, may have revealed that Cera is the hold out by saying that Will Arnett is ready to go:

“I don’t want to talk about who is holding out right now because we might still work that out and I don’t want to pressure anyone through the press,” said Hurwitz. “Although I will say that Will Arnett is gung-ho, so there’s a big clue!”

[from Fancast]

So what you mean to say, Mitch, is that it’s Michael Cera’s fault.  Even if you sugared it up with that “I don’t want to pressure anyone” statement.  There is, of course, the off-chance that it’s someone else who’s refusing to sign, but it seems unlikely considering that Cera and Arnett are the only ones whose careers have taken off enough to be able to say “no.”  The movie wouldn’t even be a possibility without Jason Bateman, so he seems to be definitely in.

Another interesting part of Hurwitz’ interview with Fancast is his willingness to discuss the many options for the movie’s direction.  Unlike most producers and directors, who will just say “it’s in its development stage” (sorry for the bad pun), Hurwitz seems interested in sharing the process with his fans.  One possible avenue would be to do a “film within a film”:

There are, of course, other versions in mind. Although many episodes of the series famously ended with never-realized, “Next time on…” teasers, it’s possible that the film could become a “film within a film,” taking a cue from the epilogue of the finale, where Maebe Bluth pitches Ron Howard her life story, and Howard quips “I don’t see it as a series. Maybe a movie.”

“I’ve also been playing with the idea of doing a prequel for a while, which could be kind of interesting,” Hurwitz said.

[from Fancast]

Whatever he choses to do, and whether or not Michael Cera decides to do the film, it seems that the Bluths are coming to the big screen.  “It’s too much fun for us all,” says Hurwitz. “The fans have been so supportive and so sincere in their fondness for it. That’s really the big motivation to make the film.”

Photos from Bluthfamily.com