Mandate Pictures is back in business with Oscar winning Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody (pictured) after optioning rights to Young Adult.

The Los Angeles-based company is fast tracking the project and would not divulge plot details except to say it was a “comedy with a strong dramatic backbone.”

Cody will produce with her Oscar nominated Juno producers Mason Novick, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith of Mr Mudd Productions.

Mandate president Nathan Kahane and Mr Mudd’s John Malkovich will serve as executive producers. Mary Lee will oversee the project on behalf of Mandate Pictures.

“We are so excited to be entrusted with another Diablo Cody original,” Kahane said. “Working with producers like the Mudds and Mason makes our job very easy.”

Cody is represented by The Gersh Agency and law firm McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Mr Mudd is represented by WME Entertainment. Dan Freedman, Mandate’s senior vice-president of business and legal affairs, negotiated all deals for Mandate.

Juno earned four Academy Award nominations and a best original screenplay win for Cody.