Jay Baruchel To Write ‘Random Acts Of Violence’ & ‘Exorcism Diaries’

It’s not a big surprise that actor Jay Baruchel has grander aspirations than being “that awkward guy” in Hollywood movies. Give him half the chance, he’ll gladly talk your ear off about his love of the horror genre and his plans to eventually move into the director’s chair. In fact, last year, he talked up his racially charged slasher pic “Pig” that he hopes to mount, during the press rounds for “She’s Out Of My League.” And of course, there’s been the long talked about “Seth And Jay Vs. The Apocalypse,” which speaks to his comic influences. And it looks like the actor is serious about his intentions to work more off camera.

THR reveals that Baruchel has signed up for a pair of writing gigs that are right up his alley. First up will be “Random Acts Of Violence” based on the comic by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. The meta-story follows two comic creators whose creation, Slasherman, has taken on a life of its own with bodies piling up and blood flowing everywhere. The project is being developed by Kickstart Comics — who are also behind “Preacher” and Adam McKay‘s “The Boys” — so we imagine it will attract some interesting talent.

Perhaps even more high profile than that project is “Exorcism Diaries” which is currently set up at Summit. Based on the book “The Real Story Behind The Exorcist” by Mark Opsasnick, the story follows a reporter investigating the most famous exorcism in history, but soon finds herself right in the path of the very supernatural being she’s hunting down. Baruchel will team with his writing partner Jesse Chabot on both projects.

We’re really glad to see Baruchel chasing down genre and we’re eager to see what his voice will be in these projects. But don’t fear, as Baruchel hasn’t abandoned the screen just yet. He’s got the rough-and-tumble hockey comedy “Goon” coming later this year, and possibly premiering at TIFF and later this month, he’ll get to work on “Cosmopolis” with David Cronenberg whose brain he’ll surely try to pick to advice.